Bukit Kursi Temple

Bukit Kursi Temple, a name that literally translates to the ‘Temple of the Hill of the Stone Chair’, holds a significant yet often understated place in the spiritual landscape of North Bali. Its history is not one of grand kingdoms or epic royal wars, but rather a story rooted deeply in Balinese spiritual intuition, local community reverence, and the evolving folklore of Buleleng Regency. The temple is located in the Pemuteran Village area, part of the Gerokgak District, placing it firmly in the less-trodden yet culturally rich northwestern corner of the island. This remote location has, in many ways, preserved its sanctity and the authenticity of its historical narrative Bali couple travel package.

The spiritual history of the site predates its formal establishment as a pura (temple) complex. Local Balinese lore suggests that the hill itself was long recognized as a sacred and angker (mystical or spooky) area, where few dared to tread for fear of unseen forces. Before it was called Pura Bukit Kursi, the significant stone formation at the summit—which gives the hill its name—was reportedly known as Batu Negok. This large, chair-like stone formation is the physical and spiritual anchor of the entire site, believed to be the dwelling place of powerful spiritual entities or the stana (station) of a revered deity, likely a manifestation of Lord Shiva or a local ancestral spirit (Ida Bhatara Kawitan). The local community, while respecting the area, historically maintained a distance, fearing the repercussions of disturbing its tranquility. This profound sense of local respect and slight trepidation is a common historical precursor to many major temples in Bali, marking them as sites of immense power.

A pivotal moment in the temple’s history, and the reason for its increased prominence, occurred more recently, reportedly in the 1980s. The story revolves around a spiritual practitioner (Penekun Spiritual) from the influential Puri Pemecutan in Denpasar, South Bali, who received a divine revelation or pawisik. This pawisik instructed them to journey to the western side of Pura Pemuteran, approximately 800 meters away, to a rock formation named Batu Mekorsi (the same ‘Stone Chair’). This revelation acted as a spiritual validation of the site’s immense power, transitioning it from a locally feared and revered hill to a recognized spiritual destination with a specific purpose. When the penekun finally reached the summit and saw the stone formation, they were overcome with emotion, confirming the accuracy of the divine message. This event led to the formal establishment and dedication of the temple, a significant moment that integrated the local, grassroots sanctity of the hill into the wider Balinese Hindu temple network Amazing Bali honeymoon tour.

Following this spiritual endorsement, the Bukit Kursi Temple began to gain fame not just as a site for general worship, but as a specific place for nunas pawisik (requesting guidance) and nunas pengelukatan (cleansing rituals), particularly related to career and life position. This specialization has led to its reputation today as a ‘Temple to Request Guidance on Careers or Positions’. The act of climbing the hundreds of steps is seen as a physical and spiritual pilgrimage, symbolizing the effort required to achieve higher standing in life. The history of Bukit Kursi Temple is thus a fascinating blend of ancient, localized animistic reverence for a unique rock formation and a recent, institutionalized spiritual recognition that propelled it onto the map for Balinese pilgrims across the island. The temple’s architectural history is relatively modest, focusing on the preservation of the natural, sacred landscape, a testament to the fact that the spiritual power resides in the hill and the stone itself, not just the constructed shrines. Any traveler, especially those booking their spiritual journey with a reliable agency like SEMAT TRAVEL INDONESIA, will find this rich history explained in detail by informed local guides. The historical essence of Bukit Kursi Temple lies in its elevation—not just its physical height, but its elevation from a mysterious hill to a potent spiritual beacon.

Bukit Kursi Temple