The Mount Batukaru area in Tabanan regency is home to some of Bali’s precious natural, cultural and religious heritages.

The multi-tiered rice fields in Jatiluwih, located some 50 kilometers from Denpasar, are noted as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and are the site of the Besikalung grand temple, Pura Luhur Besikalung, believed to have been built around 917, or 839 in the Caka Balinese calendar.

The existence of this temple was recorded in the Babahan I ancient manuscript, mentioned in the phrase: “Cala Silunglung Kaklungan Pangulumbigyan”, which means the purification ceremony in the sacred hall at Cala Silungung, which later became Besikalung.

The multi-tiered shrine in the temple’s main courtyard resembles a monument built during the Megalithic period, while seven years ago the local people took charge of the 25 hectares of forest surrounding the temple.

To preserve both the temple and the forest, the customary village of Babahan in Penebel issued a perarem, or customary law, which is the traditional legal instrument.

The perarem is strictly enforced and prohibits hunting and poaching, as well as felling trees in the forest. Anyone breaking this law is fined Rp 10 million (US$750) and becomes responsible for organizing and paying for the special Guru Piduka ritual to ask for forgiveness.

This local law and its enforcement have protected the temple and its surrounding forest from environmental and social damage, demonstrating the effectiveness of local wisdom.

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