THE JOURNEY TO THE EAST

SACRED HILL
Journey to the East is written from the point of view of a man ,goes on a pilgrimage to "the East" in search of the "ultimate Truth". Through both time and space, across geography imaginary and real. And here is my story....

My name is Dee Gorra, born Agus Arya Adhi Wijaya, in 1979, in the Village named Sidemen, East Bali. As a Balinese, we believe the only ancient Balinese true blood was a people of Tenganan nearby Candidasa East Bali, and Peoples of Trunyan in lake Batur. Who called The Bali Aga Empire, So where my ancestor came from ?

The Majapahit Empire rule over Bali became complete when Gajah Mada, Prime Minister of the Javanese king, defeated the Balinese king in Bedulu in 1343. The Majapahit capital in Bali was established at Samprangan and later Gelgel.Gelgel remained the paramount kingdom on Bali until the second half of the 17th century.

The rule of the Majapahit marks the strong influx of Javanese culture into Bali, most of all in architecture, dance and the theatre, in literature with the introduction of the Kawi script, in painting and sculpture and the wayang puppet theatre. The few Balinese who did not adopt this culture are still known today as "Bali Aga" ("Original Balinese") and still live in a few isolated villages.

With the rise of Islam in the Indonesian archipelago, the Majapahit empire finally fell, and Bali became independent at the end of the 15th or beginning of the 16th century, with much of the Javanese aristocracy finding refuge in Bali, bringing an even stronger influx of Hindu arts, literature and religion.According to later chronicles the dynasty of Majapahit origins, established after 1343, continued to rule Bali for 5 more centuries until 1908, when the DutchDutch intervention in Bali (1908). In the 16th century, the Balinese king Dalem Baturenggong even expanded in turn his rule to East Java, Lombok and western Sumbawa. eliminated it in the

Around 1540, together with the Islamic advance, a Hindu reformation movement took place, led by Dang Hyang Nirartha, leading to the introduction of the Padmasana shrine in honour of the "Supreme God" Acintya, and the establishment of the present shape of Shiva-worshipping in Bali. Nirartha also established numerous temples, including the spectacular temple at Uluwatu

And ARYA in my name, because my family clans believed that our ancestor are The Minister and General under Prime Minister GAJAH MADA commands, during Majapahit first imperial to Bali Empire. ARYA GAJAH PARA and ARYA GETAS who came first to Bali from Java ( Majapahit) to Escort MAJAPAHIT Kingdom diplomatic couriers Sri Aji Kepaskisan to asked once again BALI Empire must be under Majapahit Kingdom. Their journey start from Northern coast of Bali in Singaraja.

SIDEMEN NEVER TOO FAR

In 1284, Bali was conquered by Kertanegara, the ruler of the Singasari; until the turn of the century, saw Bali under its own rule under the hands of King Bedaulu of Pejeng, east of Ubud. 1343 AD, is an important date in Bali's history. It was then that the whole island was conquered by East Java under the mighty Hindu Majapahit kingdom. This resulted in massive changes in Balinese society, including the introduction of the caste system.

Balinese who did not embrace the changes fled to the isolated and remote mountainous areas and hill areas. Their descendants are known today as Bali Aga or Bali Mula that means the "original Balinese". They still live separately in villages like Tenganan near Dasa Temple and Trunyan on the shores of Batur Lake, and maintain their ancient laws and traditional ways. When Majapahit in East Java fell in 1515, the many small Islamic kingdoms in the island merged into the Islamic Mataram empire, Majapahit's most dedicated Hindu priests, craftsmen, soldiers, nobles and artists fled east to Bali, and flooded the island with Javanese culture and Hindu practices. Considering the huge influence and power of Islam at the time, it is worth pondering why and how Bali still remained strongly Hindu and Buddhist.

Batu Renggong, also known as Dewa Agung, means great god, became king in 1550, and this title became hereditary through the succeeding generations of the kingdom of Gelgel, and later Klungkung, until the twentieth century. Bali reached the pinnacle of its Golden Era under the reign of the Batu Renggong, the great god ruler. Bali's decline started when Batu Renggong's grandson, Di Made Bekung, lost Blambangan, Lombok and Sumbawa. DI Made Bekung's chief minister, Gusti Agung Maruti, eventually rebelled and reigned from 1650 till 1686, when he in turn was killed by DI Made Bekung's son, Dewa Agung Jambe, who then moved the court to Klungkung, and named his new palace the Semarapura, Abode of the God of Love.

During Batu Renggong kingdom, to thankful for my ancestor served and loyalty to the New Balinese Kingdom, The great king of Batu Renggong gave a pieces of land to my ancestor. THE SACRED HILLS..., and from That Hills my ancestor who became a great priest at that time, start his Journey...a journey to keep the loyalty of the Kingdom, and the JOURNEY TO BUILD a PEACEFUL community in Sidemen. From the words of 'SIDI" means great power and 'MAHAN' mean Gift from Gods or a Bless. The Place where the Great Power was given...and that great power is PEACEFUL. Peace in mind, body and souls....

Sidemen is one of the most important place in Bali history. Former, Sidemen is one of the small palace above Klungkung Palace. The Sidemen Royal Family have strong relationship with Klungkung Palace because the ancestor of both place is a brother. Sidemen also have many unique place with great view. Every part of Sidemen is wonderful. There is not many accommodations in this place. But the hotel is most wanted by travelers and students from all over the world. If you want to life like in Bali some decades before but still comfortable with good facilities you must visit this village. You can also feel the fresh air because the situated far away from hustle and bustle within the cool atmosphere, Sidemen is around 1 hours 30 minutes drive from the Ngurah Rai international airport. Sixty years ago, the renowned painter Walter Spies moved from Ubud to the Sidemen area to seek peace and inspiration. He felt that Ubud had already become too crowded. In Sidemen he found his place.

There is nothing ready-made; it is an internal experience The appearance in Sidemen of several centers devoted to meditation and retreat seems to underline this particular quality of the area. The location is very strategic indeed. If you feel reckless, while staying here you can dive at a prime site one day and then climb Gunung Agung the day after. All are set up to be friendly with the environment. For those who dream of clean. Sidemen is first and foremost a place for peace and introspection. However, should he choose to take his rest in this magic valley, the sophisticated traveler will find that it is in fact an ideal location for enjoying some of the best that Bali has to offer, not all of it entirely restful.

THE JOURNEY REVEALED

The real Balinese village in East of Bali One of the greatest place in Bali that has strong spiritual aura is Sidemen Valley. Since I was A kid, I always love to discover the beauty of my village, Sidemen. Because I can feel the vibe and peacefulness, up to the hills or down swim on the clear crystal rivers, walk down the valley to run in the small alleys of Padi rice field.
because in my believe, my ancestor want this place, Sidemen it's like whatever it was. The Place where the great power was given...named Peaceful.