Beyond Pura Dalem Sakenan lies a story etched in stone. That story unfolds here at Pura Susunan Wadon. This sacred space is more than just a temple. It is a testament to Balinese beliefs.
Pura Susunan Wadon has a profound connection to the nearby Pura Dalem Sakenan. According to the temple’s caretaker, Jero Mangku Nengah Sudira, the two are intertwined. The revered figure at Pura Susunan Wadon is Ida Bhatari Istri. She is seen as the partner of Ida Bhatara Lanang. He resides at Pura Dalem Sakenan.
Legend speaks of a rift between these divine partners. Ida Bhatari Istri is said to have been angered by Ida Bhatara Lanang’s polygamy. This led her to distance herself. She refused to meet him as her husband.
This celestial dispute is mirrored in the temples’ architecture. The Candi Prasada, Ida Bhatara Lanang Dalem Sakenan’s shrine, faces west. Conversely, Ida Bhatari Istri Susunan Wadon’s Candi Prasada faces east. This symbolizes their separation.
Another story connects Pura Susunan Wadon to Dang Hyang Nirartha. He was a revered figure who built Pura Dalem Sakenan. After completing it, he journeyed east. He discovered a sacred site dedicated to Bhatari Durga.
During meditation, Bhatari Durga advised Dang Hyang Nirartha. She suggested he become the ruler of Bali before achieving moksa. He declined this offer. Bhatari Durga then guided him to the southwest. There, he would find Dewa Rudra’s abode at Pura Uluwatu.
Before departing, Dang Hyang Nirartha helped the local people build a temple. This temple became Pura Susunan Wadon. The word “Wadon” means woman. It links the temple to Bhatari Durga, the divine feminine energy.
Pura Susunan Wadon holds a significant place among Bali’s Dang Kahyangan temples. Its piodalan ceremony occurs every 210 days. It falls on Redite Umanis Kuningan. This day is part of the Umanis Kuningan festival. Dang Kahyangan temples honor the legacies of revered priests. These include Mpu Kuturan and Danghyang Nirartha. Pura Susunan Wadon is also considered one of Bali’s Kahyangan Jagat temples.
The temple’s layout reflects Balinese spatial concepts. Entering from the gate, the structure faces north. The temple has three courtyards. These are the inner court, the central court, and the outer court.
Each courtyard is enclosed by limestone walls. The outer and central courts connect through a Candi Bentar gate. The central and inner courts are linked by a Candi Kurung and a Candi Bentar gate.
The inner court is the most sacred. It houses shrines and statues. The Candi Prasada honors Ida Bhatari Lingsir Dalem Susunan Wadon. Other structures include Bale Tajuk pavilions and shrines dedicated to various deities.
The central court features a wantilan pavilion and a Bale Kulkul tower. Shrines and dwarapala statues also grace this space. The outer court on the north side is an open area surrounded by walls.
The temples’ candi and statues date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The Gedong Ida Bhatari Lingsir Dalem Susunan Wadon Candi Prasada stands as a central feature. The Paduraksa Candi Bentar connects the inner and central courts.
Statues of Nandi, the sacred bull, stand guard near the prasada. Dwarapala statues protect the temple’s entrances. Other sculptures depict figures from Balinese stories. These include Panji, Kadean-kadean, Twalen, and Mredah.
Pura Susunan Wadon stands as a sanctuary. It echoes with tales of divine relationships and spiritual journeys. Its stones whisper ancient wisdom. The temple invites reflection. It is a place to appreciate Balinese heritage.