Latest news with #BalineseHindus
The Star
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Bali mulls legalising cockfighting
Far off Bali's tourist trail, heavily tattooed men gather at a clandestine site for traditional cockfighting known as tajen that meshes a bloodsport with ancient Balinese Hindu traditions. - AFP DENPASAR, Bali: Deputy speaker of the Bali Legislative Council, I Wayan Disel Astawa, has supported and welcomed the suggestion by some councillors that tajen (cockfighting) be legalised because the activity could bring about economic benefits for Bali. 'There are great benefits for development in Bali, just like Jakarta in the past, before the city had toll roads. Through casinos, the city started to develop all over,' Astawa said after a council plenary meeting in Denpasar on Monday (June 23). He said Bali wanted to enjoy similar development benefits to Jakarta by using tajen. 'Concerning tajen, look at when Ali Sadikin was Jakarta governor, he had the courage to build casinos,' he said. 'Why can't Bali do the same? We have a cultural attraction as the genius loci.' In addition to the secular tajen, which is often associated with gambling activities, Balinese Hindus also perform religious cockfighting, known as tabuh rah as a blood offering. It is believed that tabuh rah was introduced into Bali by Majapahit exiles who fled from Java to Bali in the 1200s. Astawa said that legalising tajen could reduce crime, although currently the matter was still being studied, referring to an incident at a cockfighting arena in Songan A village, Kintamani, Bangli regency, that left one man dead. 'In my opinion, it is just commonsense [to legalise tajen] rather than the current status, where cockfighting is illegal but it still exists,' he said. 'If we legalise tajen, crime will be reduced.' When asked about tajen arenas run by the public and tied to gambling, Astawa said the council would first consult the central government and check whether there were restrictive regulations. 'Yes, we will seek permission from the central government because of the Criminal Code, whether it is possible, we can be open and discuss this.' The Criminal Code bans all forms of gambling and bans cruelty and violence against animals, which could include cockfighting, despite not specifically referring to the activity. Previously, several Bali Legislative Council members suggested legalising tajen as a form of cultural tourism. Councillor Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih from the Golkar Party is one of those who support the legalisation of tajen. He said tajen was part of the Balinese culture but remained in a legal grey area. 'There are certainly reasons to legaliSe tajen, mostly because tajen is part of Balinese culture,' he said on Sunday, as quoted by 'Many who place bets are actually making donations for [religious] ceremonies.' Pratiksa said the absence of regulation meant tajen was abused by certain people for their own personal benefits. He added that legaliSing tajen would have a positive impact on society. 'I believe instead of being misused by irresponsible people, it is better to return the proceeds to the public in the form of regional revenues and grants to the public, so that the entire community can benefit,' he said. Meanwhile, Bali Governor Wayan Koster strongly rejected the idea of legalizing tajen, saying it was not a simple matter and needed to be studied carefully. 'Don't [legalise tajen just yet]. We must thoroughly study it,' he said on Saturday, as quoted by - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Tatler Asia
13-06-2025
- Tatler Asia
4 picturesque restaurants in Asia where you can dine by the waterfall
2. Hirobun, Kawadoko Nagashi Sōmen, Kibune, Japan The tradition of kawadoko—riverside terraces built above flowing streams—originated as a pragmatic escape from Kyoto's summer heat. It evolved into an artful dining practice combining shade, breeze and water for natural air conditioning. Hirobun, perched steps away from Kibune Shrine, offers the iconic nagashi sōmen during May to September: ultra-thin wheat noodles sent careening down bamboo flumes over cold mountain water, waiting for eager diners with chopsticks in hand. The setting—a shaded riverside tatami counter under cool pine canopy—drops ambient temperature by nearly 10°C from the city below. You might have seen the restaurant on Instagram. Here, a metred 15-minute noodle chase: bundles of somen drift down each bamboo channel, intercepted then dipped in chilled tsuyu broth, often garnished with scallion, ginger, myōga or shikuwasa. Meals typically come with matcha and wagashi dessert.. While it all sounds tailored for a tourist trap, Hirobun exemplifies a living, minimalist ritual that embodies Japan's seasonal harmony. Each slurp invites both chill and charm, pairing food and river, nostalgia and novelty, in one unforgettable Kyoto moment. See more: Shy escapes: 9 quiet destinations for introverts who love to travel 3. Layana Warung, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Tucked into a jungle fold just north of Ubud's art-laced lanes, Layana Warung is more than a scenic lunch stop. Rather, it's a quiet ode to the island's centuries-old water culture. The restaurant overlooks a real, free-flowing waterfall that meanders past centuries-old rice terraces—part of Bali's Unesco-recognised subak system, an ancient cooperative irrigation network dating back to the 9th century. That alone makes it sacred ground for Balinese Hindus, who revere water as not just life-giving but also divine. The open-air setting frames the falls in full view, with no glass walls or piped-in ambient sounds to interrupt the natural hush. The menu follows suit: earthy turmeric broths and coconut-milk satays are crafted with market-fresh produce from nearby villages, while lemongrass teas and mint-lime juices cool the soul as much as the body. No theatrics—just clear river air, edible tradition and a refreshing sense of pause. It's not just serene. It's spiritual. It's a rare place where Bali's elemental magic—earth, water and ritual—flows directly to the table. 4. The Waterfall Restaurant, Chennai, India Long before immersive dining was a marketing hook, Chennai had The Waterfall Restaurant, a local favourite that melds temple-like reverence for water with joyful overindulgence. Tucked in the heart of the city's T Nagar district, this decades-old institution doesn't serve its meals by a riverbank or mountain stream. Instead, it brings the cascade indoors. Like many of the other waterfall restaurants on this list, this eatery isn't a natural formation. Behind a grand dining hall lies a dramatic 20-foot manmade waterfall wall, built not just for ambience but as a nod to India's long-standing architectural flirtation with water features—from Mughal garden fountains to South Indian temple tanks. The layout is symmetrical and deliberate: rows of tables face the falls directly, ensuring every diner eats with a view (and a soundtrack). The food is unapologetically plentiful: think saffron-scented biryanis, flame-licked Andhra chicken tikka, dosa counters and an unexpected flourish of red velvet cake for dessert. It's all served buffet-style but with theatrical intent, making the meal feel like part feast, part pageant. Here, nature is engineered, but no less atmospheric. This is a maximalist response to the country's love of sound, texture and sensory immersion. It's also a reminder that sometimes, indulgence can be deeply cultural.
South China Morning Post
09-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Indonesia comes to the Netherlands as Europe's first Balinese temple opens near Amsterdam
The first Balinese Hindu temple in Europe has formally opened in the Netherlands , a move that symbolises cooperation between the two regions and aims to encourage tourism to the Indonesian island. Advertisement The Santa Citta Bhuwana Temple – located within Overijssel province's Taman Indonesia, a zoological garden some 125km (78 miles) northeast of Amsterdam – offers a gateway to the island's traditions for both its diaspora and a wider European audience. Bali Governor Wayan Koster, who attended the formal opening ceremony on Saturday, personally brought the ceremonial items needed for the temple's purification ceremony, according to The Bali Sun. The inauguration coincided with Hari Raya Kuningan, an auspicious day on the Balinese calendar when ancestors are believed to ascend back to the heavens after 10 days on earth, and saw a large turnout. Close to 300 Balinese Hindus attended the opening of Pura Shanta Citta Bhuwana in the Netherlands. Photo: Instagram/@tamanindonesia Koster expressed hope that the temple would become a vital spot 'not only for the sake of holidays but as a means of gathering to develop a sense of family and togetherness among the Balinese people'. Advertisement The Netherlands is home to a large Indonesian community, a legacy of the Southeast Asian country's long history as a former Dutch colony.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
Why Bali's Bat Cave Temple is unlike any other place you've visited
Goa Lawah Temple , or Bat Cave Temple , is a significant Hindu temple in Pesinggahan village, Dawan district, Klungkung Regency, Bali, Indonesia. The cave temple is believed to be home to thousands of bats. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It would, to the naked eye, look like a peaceful house of worship, but if you go inside, you'll be met with a cave filled with the soft fluttering sound of wings, a ceiling adorned by a thousand suspended bats like moving silhouettes. A sanctuary where heaven and nature collide The bats, revered rather than feared, are believed to be guardians of the temple. Locals tell tales of how the cave stretches deep into the heart of Mount Agung, Bali's most sacred volcano, and that its depths are protected by mystical forces. Some even believe that the cave connects to Pura Besakih, Bali's "Mother Temple," many kilometers away. Whether legend or reality, these stories lend an undeniable aura of enchantment to the site. Despite its eerie guardians, Goa Lawah is serene. Balinese Hindus throng here to witness major ceremonies, such as the temple anniversary (odalan) and other sacred days of the Balinese calendar. Both humans and bats coexist harmoniously—neither intrudes on the other. It is symbiotic living, one that is in line with the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana , which teaches harmony between human beings, nature, and the gods. The temple complex, against a rolling backdrop of oscillating coconut palm groves and the Bali Sea's turquoise waters, is a poetic setting. Cobblestone shrines, god idol statuettes draped with black and white checkered cloth, and flower and rice baskets decorate the courtyards. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Even the air carries piety and unexpressed knowledge that nature and sacredness are never separated here. Seeing Goa Lawah is more than mere sightseeing—it's a reminder of the powers beyond human comprehension that control the world and of the Balinese people's profound respect for all life, even that which lives in darkness. Goa Lawah isn't just a temple—it's a powerful reminder of Bali's unique ability to weave spirituality, myth, and nature into a living, breathing cultural tapestry. This location is essential to experiencing India's rich temple heritage. How to reach? To get to Goa Lawah Temple, drive approximately 1.5 hours east from Denpasar or 30 minutes from Ubud. The temple can be easily reached via personal taxi, scooter, or tour services from all major towns of Bali along the main road leading to Candidasa.
