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What is Balinese Mythology? History of Bali
Balinese mythology holds a sacred place in local traditions and influences everything from grand festivals to daily routines. For travelers, the myths associated with the land pique great curiosity.
However, understanding Balinese mythology goes far beyond enhancing trips and truly helps open the doors to Bali’s spiritual heart.
Discover the vibrant history of Bali and the significance of temples, dances, and rituals with stories that have been passed down for centuries!
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How Cultures Blended and Led To Balinese Mythology
Balinese mythology is a beautiful combination of Hinduism, Buddhism, and indigenous animistic beliefs.
In the 15th century, when Hindus migrated from Java to Bali, they brought with them beliefs and traditions from both Hinduism as well as local Javanese culture.
These foreign cultures blended with local traditions and gave rise to unique mythical beliefs. Today, the combination of these beliefs shapes the spiritual landscape of Bali.
- Gods and goddesses from Hinduism (e.g., Vishnu and Shiva) coexist with local deities (for example, Dewi Danu, the goddess of water).
- Local temples, ceremonies, and daily offerings called canang sari are practical examples of the fusion of cultures.
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How Mythology Connects with Balinese Festivals and Temples
Mythology in Bali can be best understood by the physical representations of Balinese Hinduism i.e., the temples and festivals. To elaborate, it is in these houses of worship and communal gatherings that the true spirit of Balinese mythology comes alive.
Temples:
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Tanah Lot is a Balinese temple on top of a large rock that looks out to the majestic open sea.
The temple’s mythology is rooted in the story of a man named Dang Hyang Nirartha who built it to worship the sea God. Nirartha was worried about the safety of the temple and converted his sash into a powerful snake for its protection. - Batukaru Temple is a spiritual landmark that connects with the legend of Mpu Kuturan. Mpu Kuturan was a deeply religious man who saw a dream with divine guidance to build this temple with very specific instructions about the architecture, layout, and location.
Temples:
- Festivals like Galungan, Nyepi, and Saraswati Day are living representations of mythological stories. These festivals are associated with various beliefs such as those relating to the return of spirits to earth and the spiritual cleaning of souls.
Underlying Themes in Balinese Mythology
Mythology in Bali is a culmination of many complex ideas conveyed by legends and stories. People extract meaningful messages from these stories to build fulfilling lives.
Themes in Balinese mythology include,
- Good vs. Evil: A common theme often found in Balinese legends, the concept of good vs. evil, highlights the importance of ethics, personal responsibility, and balance in nature.
- Harmony with Nature: In Balinese culture, a different god or goddess rules each element of nature. This, therefore, establishes a strong connection between nature and the spirits which is why humans have to ensure that their actions are in coherence with nature.
- The Pursuit of Knowledge: Knowledge and wisdom are the rites to true success, and this is evident in various legends and festivals. As per Balinese mythology, enlightenment always wins over material wealth and power.
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Read into Balinese History with Prominent Legends
In Balinese mythology, Dewi Danu is the water goddess responsible for the distribution of water from Lakes to the Balinese fields.
1. The Legend of Dewi Danu:
In Balinese mythology, Dewi Danu is the water goddess responsible for the distribution of water from Lakes to the Balinese fields.
Dewi Danu is believed to be highly dedicated to her role and in doing so, is connected with the people and land. For example, the connection to the Subak irrigation system shows how deeply mythology weaves itself into Bali’s farming practices.
2. The Battle of Barong and Rangda
The story of Barong and Rangda is one of the most famous legends in Bali. It is a dramatic representation of the war between good (Barong, a lion-like protector) and evil (Rangda, the demon queen) via a dance battle.
The dance is full of elaborate movements and expressions symbolizing the never-ending conflict between conflicting forces in life.
3. The Story of Calon Arang
This historical legend revolves around the torments of the evil witch, Calon Arang, and how the villagers take their revenge. The villagers despised her to the extent of requesting help from Mpu Baradah who worked with Arang’s daughter to free the villagers.
Calon Arang was a spiteful witch and her death symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
4. The Legend of Jaya and Siwa
The brothers Jaya and Siwa had two wishes to make. Where Jaya, the elder, asked for wealth, Siwa, the younger brother, wished for great knowledge.
Both got what they wanted.
Later, upon facing the challenges of life and evil forces, Jaya failed whereas Siwa’s wisdom saved Bali. This tale, thus, is a reminder of the importance of wisdom and knowledge over monetary wealth.
5. The Tale of Garuda and Vishnu
Garuda, in Balinese mythology, is the king of all flying creatures who bears great loyalty to Lord Vishnu.
According to the legend, Lord Vishnu was impressed by Garuda and his successful quests. He, thus, granted him a wish to which Garuda asked Vishnu to let him carry him.
The relationship between Garuda and Vishnu is a symbol of loyalty, and courage and is a common visual in many paintings.
6. The Legend of Kebo Iwa:
According to this legend, Kebo Iwa was a warrior famous for his extraordinary toughness. Unfortunately, however, strength and fame got to his head, and he became arrogant.
The king, villagers, and even his own daughter then reminded him of his tiny place in the expansive universe by giving him a challenge that he ultimately failed.
Interested in learning more about Balinese history and mythology? Check out our Instagram to discover more with our enlightening posts!
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Read what people say about Ubud Story Walks...
Ubud Story Walks is something different. It’s a fun, entertaining and refreshing way to delve into Ubud’s past. The knowledgeable guides place as much emphasis on how they tell a story as they do on what they’re sharing, which means all sorts of magical and mystifying details are revealed. I believe the best way to get to know a place is to walk its streets, which makes Ubud Story Walks one of the best ways to get to know Ubud.
Julia Winterflood
We had a fantastic time walking around the historical centre of Ubud! Even though we've been based in Bali for a few years, we'd never had an actual tour of some of Bali's most iconic landmarks and learning about the history was fascinating. Our guide was hilarious and full of information and it was a lovely and relaxing way to learn so much. The tour was early in the morning which was perfect timing as the temperature was still cool and we were able to witness the morning bustle of Ubud's famous markets. 10/10 would recommend!
Rahima Saikal
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