If you feel like seeing a unique temple that is thick with historical background, then stop by Alas Jagasari Temple. Not only serves as a place of worship, but interesting things contained in the temple also make it a great object to be explored, especially for historians. To explore the history of the temple, you need to go to the forest first. Because, this temple, which comes from a combination of Bale Agung and Puseh Temple, is surrounded by a small forest.

Alas Jagasari Temple 

The first thing you’ll encounter when you arrive at the parking lot before heading to the temple is a dense forest. Sunlight also seems a little hard to enter into the area because of the dense trees in the forest. This will be your path to the temple. Aside from being a temple protector, the forest that surrounds this temple has a very important role. Because in this forest, there are plants that are usually used by the local people for religious purposes in the temple. Thus, it is easier for the elders who lead the ritual to find the plants they need.

The temple is located in Panempahan Hamlet, Manukaya, Tampaksiring, Gianyar Regency. Allegedly, it still has a closeness with the kingdom of Kediri in East Java. This is evidenced by the presence of features that highlight the kingdom of Kediri in the 10th to 11th centuries AD. In addition, the temple has two statues that are considered by the public to be the figure of Raja Marwadewa or Sri Kesari Ratna Bumi Banten and his queen, Mahandradatta or Gunapriya Dharmapadni. 

This temple is one of the oldest temples in Bali. Alas Jagasari Temple was built when the ancient Balinese kingdom came to rule the area, namely the Warmadewa Kingdom. This can be seen very clearly in the design of the temple building which has quite striking differences from other temples in the Island of the Gods. If you have visited several temples in Bali, you can definitely distinguish the appearance of these temples from Pura Alas Jagasari. Based on its shape, Alas Jagasari Temple resembles Pegulingan Temple, Magening Temple, and Tirta Empul Temple which has Tri Mandala concept. Other evidence that reinforces the existence of this temple is the discovery of an inscription in the temple. Which is written the name Warmadewa and Panempahan, when the officer will determine the status of the perdikan or area that is exempt from the responsibility of paying taxes. 

Because of some differences, it has, tourists often come to visit to answer their curiosity, while enriching their knowledge about history and culture. Not only that, but they were also amazed by the natural panorama around Alas Jagasari Temple. Because it is surrounded by a small forest, the air is very cool and fresh. You won’t feel the heat when walking around the temple area because the shade of trees is ready to cover your head. Moreover, the kings at that time chose this temple as a place of meditation. The surrounding conditions are calm and quiet, able to increase concentration while meditating. 

Alas Jagasari Temple is located very close to Tampaksiring Temple which has a special pool for melukat ritual. After visiting the Jagasari Temple, you can go to Tampaksiring Temple to join the melukat ritual. That way, your religious tourism activities will be more perfect.