Klungkung Regency is the smallest,
compared to the other regencies in Bali. The Area of lungkung regency
is around 315 km2 with a population of 170,612 which is spread throughout
its four districts. Although the area itsself is small, the Nusa
islands, which consists of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa
Ceningan are included in the regency. Sharing its borders with Gianyar,
Bangli and Karangasem, a large part of the population of Klungkung
earns their living through greculture. Before the eruption of the
Gunung Agung, The village of Gunaksa had become a producer of the
best Balinese rice grains, alongside Tabanan. If we look at the
size of its area, it is difficult to believe that Klungkung was
the centre of government in Bali in the past. When Bali was at its
golden age under the reign of Dalem Batur Renggong around the 15th
century, it was governed from Gelgel, Klungkung. Only after the
revolt caused by Patih Gusti Agung Maruti, the center of government
was transferred to Klungkung during the reign of Dalem Dimade. At
the first stages of the Dutch colonization of Bali, Klungkung was
ruled by Tjokorda istri Kania, a woman raised to the throne because
the true heir to the throne was still a child. Duringher regin,
decisions regarding opposition towards the dutch were made through
the agreement of the Paswara astha negara in Klungkung. Due to a
destiny, which could not be avoided, following the battle at the
Jagaraga,
Buleleng and also the Puputan Badung, erupted the battle of the
Puputan Klungkung in 1908, and the colonization of Bali by Netherlands
was completed. At the same time, the chain whish was holding together
the powers of the kings of Bali was cut. Ida dewa Agung Geg, one
of the descendants who survived the Puputan, was placed as Dalem
Klungkung, although he was not given any political power.
Due to its central position in the governments of the past, various
genres of art and handicraft developed in Klungkung, inseparable
from the cultural and religious life of the people. The village
of tihingan is very famous for the industry of making the gamelan,
the village of Budaga is known for ceremonial tools made from bronze
and gold, the village of Satria is known for its production of tedung
handicrafts and costumes for the temple. In addition to this, the
village of Kemasan is known with its classical paintings in the
wayang style, based on themes from religious literature. This village
of Kemasan, which is 4 kilometers to the south of the city of Klungkung,
is also known for the production of the Bokor and other silver equipments,
which are used during the peocess of erforming a ceremony.
Place of Interest
Gelgel
The former capital of Gelgel Kingdom since AD 1515 until 1710 before
it moved to more strategic in Klungkung. Pura Dasar, the royal state
temple with a few ruined gateways, is the only evident site of the
noblest of all the Balinese kingdoms. Gelgel now days is known for
its pottery and beautiful handwoven ceremonial cloth of 'songket'.
Kamasan
Formerly a village of artisan who produced the crowns, body ornaments,
and jewelry for the royal family, Kamasan later became known as
a center for 'wayang'- puppet style painting. The form of Kamasan
style painting considered the oldest painting form that was executed
in 14 centuries
The village itself lies four kilometers south of Semarapura town
and inhibited by at least 140 painters.
Kusamba
It was an important and busiest port one time in the mid 1800s for
agriculture products and slaves trading. A specialist clan of blacksmiths
skilled at weapons-making were centralized here once. Kusamba was
also the site of a fight between the Dutch and The Virgin Queen
Istri Kanya in 1849. Nowdays, Kusamba is a relatively big fishermen
village in the east of Klungkung and also known as
sea-salt panning place.
Tihingan
A village located two kilometers east of Semarapura, the capital
regency of Klungkung, known as the center of 'gong kebyar' making,
the complete Balinese music instruments. There are a significant
number of gong makers in this village, employing 100 people. Village
communities in Bali are still the common buyers of the whole complete
instruments and only few of them sold abroad. However, buying one
single instrument by tourists are common. Seeing and observing the
making
process of the instruments will be interesting.
toya pakeh.
Goa Lawah
The bat cave temple is believed to be founded in 1007 by the holy
man Empu Kuturan. It plays an important role for religious rites
associated with cremation. Thousand of long-nosed bats hanging on
the ceiling of the holy cave that begins at the foot of a rocky
cliff and is said to extend all the way to the base of Gunung Agung.
The holy python is often seen sitting on one of the temple shrine.
Traditional salt making process can be seen on the beach across
of the temple.
Kertha Gosa
Based on the carving found on the main door of the complex, the
two pavilions in Kertagosa were built in 1622 according to Gregorian
calendar. It was originally use as meeting place of the Balinese
kings until it changed the function into traditional religious court
in 1908 due to Dutch occupation. Kamasan style painting on the ceiling
of the pavilion always amazed visitors especially who interested
in the philosophy of universal truth as it is described by the painting.
