What’s On
Bali, Indonesia
Gelgel’s history is the foundation upon which much of modern Balinese identity is built. It was the seat of the Gelgel Kingdom, a powerhouse that unified and ruled Bali for centuries, establishing a golden age of culture, power, and influence. This era began after the fall of the Majapahit empire in Java, leading to a massive migration of Javanese Hindu-Buddhist nobility, priests, and artists to Bali.
Gelgel’s history is the foundation upon which much of modern Balinese identity is built. It was the seat of the Gelgel Kingdom, a powerhouse that unified and ruled Bali for centuries, establishing a golden age of culture, power, and influence. This era began after the fall of the Majapahit empire in Java, leading to a massive migration of Javanese Hindu-Buddhist nobility, priests, and artists to Bali.
The royal lineage of Gelgel is said to trace back to Sri Kresna Kepakisan, the Majapahit noble believed to have been appointed to rule Bali in the late 14th century. However, the true zenith of the kingdom was reached under his successors. Gelgel was a powerful polity in the 16th and 17th centuries, dominating the entire island of Bali and extending its suzerainty over neighboring territories such as Lombok, West Sumbawa, and even Blambangan in East Java. This vast sphere of influence solidified Gelgel’s reputation as the undisputed center of political and religious authority Bali sunset honeymoon tour.
One of the most significant figures in Gelgel’s history was Dalem Baturenggong, who presumably reigned in the mid-16th century. His reign is often regarded as the peak of the kingdom’s glory. It was during this period that the revered Brahmin sage Dang Hyang Nirartha arrived in Bali, fleeing chaotic conditions in Java. Nirartha played a crucial role in consolidating the Hindu-Dharma religious practices on the island, and his influence is still evident in Gelgel’s religious structures, such as the Pura Dasar Buana Gelgel. The temple, which became a royal pura in 1380 AD, is an ancient and sacred site, often referred to as a “lowland counterpart” to the “mother temple” of Bali, Pura Besakih, emphasizing its paramount religious status. Nirartha is credited with constructing the Padma Tiga shrine within the inner sanctum of the temple to honor the Brahmins.
The village is also a site of unique religious coexistence. It is home to the oldest mosque in Bali, a testament to the fact that Javanese retainers who followed the Majapahit nobles to Bali included Muslims. The presence of the Kampung Muslim (Muslim village) within Gelgel highlights centuries of religious tolerance and the syncretic nature of Balinese culture, a topic that SEMAT TRAVEL INDONESIA is passionate about sharing with its clients. This historical cohabitation is a profound counterpoint to the island’s predominantly Hindu image Bali photography honeymoon tour.
The decline of the Gelgel Kingdom began with internal strife and a shift of the royal court. In 1686, a rebellion led by an aspiring commoner, Gusti Agung Maruti, shattered the centralized power, leading to political fragmentation across the island. Though the legitimate line of the royal dynasty re-established itself in 1710, they moved the new court to a site known today as Klungkung (or Semarapura), approximately 4 km north of Gelgel. With the removal of the puri (royal palace), Gelgel lost its political significance and was reduced to a village administered by a side branch of the ruling dynasty.
The final historical tragedy for the region came in 1908 during the Dutch intervention in Bali. An incident in Gelgel, where the local lord attacked Dutch colonial soldiers, became the catalyst for the famous puputan (mass ritual suicide) at the Klungkung Palace, marking the end of the last independent Balinese kingdom. Today, the physical traces of the old royal palace in Gelgel are gone, but the historical weight and spiritual aura of the village, preserved in sites like Pura Dasar Buana and Pura Jero Agung (the ancestral shrine of the former ruling dynasty), remain incredibly powerful.
Choose as your choice interesting
Find Your Perfect Destination, Know the distance, access, and what uniques
See the Sights, Feel the Vibes – Discover iconic landmarks and local gems
Your Travel Headlines – Important updates before you pack your bags
If you like this post share it with your friends
