Kehen Temple

Hyang Api Temple with Beautiful Architecture and Unique Candi Kurung

Beautiful Ancient Temple in Bangli Regency

Kehen Temple, also known as Hyang Api Temple, is one of the sacred Hindu temples located in Bangli Regency. Dating back to 804 Saka, this temple is among the largest and oldest temples in Bali. Its beauty and rich culture make it one of Bangli Interesting Places to Visit. Kehen Temple is characterized by a Candi Bentar with Balinese carvings that decorate the entrance, resembling Kahyangan Jagat Temple in general. However, what distinguishes it is the presence of Candi Kurung at the gate, a rare architectural element that adds to the uniqueness and attractiveness of this temple. This uniqueness is often used as a stunning photo background for visitors.

For travelers who want to enjoy cultural tourism, Kehen Temple offers an unforgettable experience. The view of the green and beautiful Bangli hills to the north of the temple is the perfect background for taking pictures, while refreshing the eyes with its natural beauty. This temple is also classified as an ancient temple in Bali. The discovery of a number of inscriptions in Kehen Temple proves that this place has a high historical value. One of the inscriptions found shows that this temple has existed since the Gelgel Kingdom era, making it one of the oldest temples in Bali.

Kehen Temple is not only a place of worship, but also a cultural tourist destination that offers a spiritual experience and mesmerizing natural scenery. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this historic temple while in Bangli!

Kehen Temple Location

For those of you who want to visit Kehen Temple, both for worship and cultural tourism, this temple is located in Cempaga Village, Bangli Regency. The location is in the highlands of Bangli at an altitude of 483 meters above sea level (masl), so it offers a cool atmosphere with green scenery from the forest and surrounding nature. If you depart from Denpasar, the journey to Kehen Temple will cover a distance of about 43 kilometers with an estimated travel time of about 2 hours by vehicle. To make the trip easier, you can use the Google Maps application as a direction guide, either by private vehicle or public transportation.

This destination is very accessible and is the right choice for tourists who want to enjoy the beauty of nature as well as the richness of Balinese culture in the midst of a soothing atmosphere.

History of Kehen Temple

Kehen Temple was originally known as Hyang Kehen Temple, as recorded in three copper inscriptions found in the temple. The three inscriptions date back to the 9th, 11th, and 13th centuries AD, and have been researched by Dr. P.V. Van Stein Callenfels, who documented the contents of the inscriptions in his book Epigraphica in 1926.

• The first inscription, thought to date from the 9th century, mentions names such as Hyang Api, Hyang Tanda, and Hyang Karinama, as well as several other priests or monks. It is written in Sanskrit with 18 lines using Old Balinese script and is classified by Dr. R. Goris as one of the relics of the Saka 804-836 (882-914 AD) period.
• The second inscription, dating from the 11th century, is written in Old Javanese and names Senapati Kuturan, Saphata, and a number of royal officials. It consists of 10 lines and is classified by Dr. R. Goris as belonging to the Saka 938-971 (1016-1049 AD) period.
• Meanwhile, the third inscription records the reign of Bhatara Guru Sri Adhikunti Ketana in Saka 1126 (1204 AD). This inscription also mentions the organization of a large ceremony involving Prabu Sri Dhanadhiraja and his consort, Bhatara Sri Dhanadewi.

The three inscriptions not only show the importance of Kehen Temple as a sacred place but also reflect its role in the long spiritual and cultural history of Balinese Hindu society since ancient times.

Sacred Ceremonies Performed at Kehen Temple

As with other temples in Bali, Kehen Temple also has sacred ceremonies that are held on certain months based on the Balinese calendar.

• One of the regular ceremonies held is the Piodalan Ceremony, which takes place once every six months in the Balinese calendar, coinciding with Buda Kliwon Wuku Sinta or Pagerwesi Day. This ceremony usually lasts for five days, during which the surrounding banjars take turns offering devotion in an event known as mepeed.
• In addition, the Karya Agung Bhatara Turun Kabeh Ceremony or also known as Ngusaba Dewa is one of the main ceremonies at Kehen Temple. This ceremony is held every three years, precisely in the fifth month of the Balinese calendar (fifth sasih). During the procession of this ceremony, the surrounding villages will participate by presenting sacred dances such as Rejang Dance, Baris Dadap, Baris Gowak, Baris Perasi, to Pendet Dance, which symbolizes devotion and respect to the gods. These ceremonies not only embody the spirituality of the local community but also enrich the Balinese cultural traditions that are full of meaning and beauty.

The Uniqueness of Kehen Temple

When visiting Kehen Temple, you will be mesmerized by its beauty and uniqueness. With a long history and rich cultural values, Kehen Temple is one of the destinations that attracts tourists to visit and enjoy its charm.

• Traditional Ceremony

  Kehen Temple holds a Piodalan Ceremony once every six months (210 days) based on the Balinese calendar, which coincides with Pagerwesi Day on Buda Kliwon Wuku Sinta. The ceremony lasts for five days with a mepeed or procession procession carried out alternately by the local community in a unit called Gebog Domas.

• Kulkul (Kentongan) on a Tree

  One of the unique attractions of Kehen Temple is the traditional kulkul or kentungan located on top of a hundred-year-old banyan tree. To hit the kulkul, the pemangku (Hindu holy man) must climb the roots of the banyan tree. Furthermore, only certain people are allowed to hit this kulkul, making it a sacred and special symbol.

• Gebog Domas

  Gebog Domas is a group of banjar or village communities around Kehen Temple who are responsible for the care and preservation of the temple. This group is also known as pengemong temple or Bebanuan Kehen Temple.

• Beautiful Candi Kurung

  Kehen Temple has a bracketed temple at its entrance, as do other Kahyangan Jagat temples in Bali. This temple is decorated with beautiful Balinese carvings, making it a stunning photo background as well as full of cultural values.

Cultural Splendor of Kehen Temple

Kehen Temple has a bracketed temple at its entrance, as do other Kahyangan Jagat temples in Bali. This bracketed temple is adorned with beautiful Balinese carvings, making it a stunning photo backdrop as well as full of cultural value. Kehen Temple, like other temples in Bali, adopts the Tri Mandala concept, which divides the temple area into three courtyards: jeroan (inner courtyard), jaba tengah (middle courtyard), and jaba sisi (outer courtyard). Each of these courtyards is separated by a wall adorned with gates, creating sacred and beautiful boundaries.

The temple has a unique terraced structure, consisting of eight terraces. The first to fifth terraces serve as the outermost courtyard, the sixth terrace being the first central courtyard, the seventh terrace being the second central courtyard, and the eighth terrace serving as the innermost or viscera courtyard.

From this arrangement, Kehen Temple reflects a magical religious value with a touch of local wisdom. The terraced structure that resembles the tradition of the megalithic era (stepped) adds to the historical and spiritual impression. With a beautiful atmosphere and stunning architecture, Bali Touristic recommends Kehen Temple as the perfect tourist destination to enjoy the beauty of nature as well as the richness of Balinese culture.