Have you ever wondered where Balinese spirits reside after death? Welcome to Pura Dalem Prancak. It is the temple of the dead. This sacred place is where the souls of the deceased dwell before their cremation ceremonies.
Pura Dalem Prancak is a vital part of Balinese Hinduism. Balinese Hinduism is a blend of Buddhism, Animism and local traditions. People believe that gods are everywhere. They are in everything. Daily offerings appease the spirits. These offerings bring prosperity and health to families.
Every Balinese village has three main temples. Pura Puseh worships Vishnu. He is the God as Preserver. Pura Desa worships Brahma. He is the God as Creator. Pura Dalem worships Siwa. He is the God as Destroyer. It is also the temple of the dead. You can usually find a cemetery there.
Notice the statues and carvings here at Pura Dalem Prancak. They depict Balinese demons. Their bulging eyes and long fangs might seem scary. But they are an important part of Balinese beliefs.
Pura Dalem temples are dedicated to Rangda. Rangda is the Demon Queen. She is the personification of evil. She is often shown with fangs and wild hair. Some stories say she holds a baby. The baby is her favorite snack.
I’ve read that Pura Dalems are at the lowest point of a village. Demons are linked to the underworld. But this Pura Dalem Prancak rises above.
Inside Pura Dalem Prancak is a courtyard for dancing. This temple hosts the Kecak Fire and Trance Dance. The flames and music create a mystical experience. Perhaps the statues come alive during the dance.
Look at the shrines here at Pura Dalem Prancak. They reach into the sky. They are made of orange brick and pale stone. These stones carve monstrous creatures. The ground is striped with stone and grass. This shows the balance between good and evil in Balinese religion.
See that holy banyan tree? Its roots dangle like Rangda’s dreadlocks. Balinese people temporarily bury their dead. The spirits stay at the Pura Dalem until cremation. Cremation frees the spirit for reincarnation.
Balinese people don’t fear death. They believe in reincarnation. Pura Dalem Prancak is a place of transition. It honors the spirits on their journey.
The sea temples honor the sea gods. Danghyang Nirartha founded them in the 16th century. He was a Hindu monk from Java. The sea temples form a chain around Bali. Each temple is within sight of the next. Pura Gede Perancak marks where Danghnyang Nirartha landed in 1546. He founded the Shaivite priesthood in Bali. Shaivism reveres Shiva as the Supreme Being. Shiva creates, preserves, destroys, reveals and conceals all.
Remember Pura Dalem Prancak. It is a sacred place. It connects life and death in Balinese belief.