Mandara Giri Semeru Agung Temple

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Initiated in 1963, Inaugurated in 1992  

Mandara Giri Semeru Agung Temple is a universal temple located at Senduro village, Senduro, Lumajang, East Java. Although the temple has now been established in the east slope of Mount Semeru, not many people know the rigorous struggle of a number of prominent Hindu figures in Bali in pursuing the construction of the temple since 1963. Ultimately, it can be established and inaugurated in 1992.
Tjokorda Artha Ardana Sukawati, a Balinese figure who participated in fighting for the establishment of the temple, said that the temple construction on Mount Semeru was begun by the implementation of holy water invocation from Bali directly to Patirtan Watu Kelosot at the foot of Mount Semeru. It was held during the Ekadasa Rudra grandiose ceremony at Besakih Temple in March 1963. The activity of invoking holy water to Watu Kelosot was re-done in 1979 with regard to convening of the Ekadasa Rudra ceremony at Besakih Temple.
After that time, the tradition of invoking holy water to Watu Kelosot for other universal temples in Bali when making grandiose ceremony was begun. The area of Mount Semeru with its Watu Kelosot sacred springs is increasingly recognized, especially when organizing grandiose ceremony. High priests or sulinggih always performs ngaskara to Mount Semeru, pleading before Hyang Shiva Pasupati believed to abide on the peak of Mount Semeru.
“The idea on the construction of this temple has been emerging from the senior figures of Bali in 1963. Originally, the idea was inspired that we have many temples in Bali. Well, when praying we always give notice to Hyang Shiva Pasupati abiding on Mount Semeru. But when our senior figures going there, there is no temple or shrines to venerate Ida Batara of Mount Semeru,” he explained.
With such condition, the leaders of Bali in the 1970s began moving to fight for the establishment of the temple. They included Tjokorda Gede Agung Sukawati, some senior figures of Pemecutan Palace and other figures. The struggle for the temple construction was also based on Hindu literature references like the Nagarakrtagama as well as historical references that refer to the Mount Semeru as a sacred area during ancient Java.
“Initially, the location permit proposed was rejected by local government. Finally the late Jero Mangku Sarja directed the establishment of Padma shrine to his own land on Mount Semeru spreading across the area of 800 square meters, and it becomes the location of the current temple,” he said.
Process of the temple construction did not take place smoothly. It happened because it was hampered by licensing problem and difficulties of sending raw materials to the temple. Until 1989 the temple construction could continue. Now, the physical building of the Mandara Giri Semeru Agung Temple has been established on an area of two hectares, completed with split gates at the outermost courtyard and arched gates in the middle courtyard. On the east side is built the ashram of sulinggih, chamber pavilion to store ritual paraphernalia and two units of pagibungan and kitchen. On the southern side stands a spacious wantilan hall.
Officiated over by eight high priests, it was held the Pamelaspas Alit and Mapulang Dasar Sarwa Sekar ritual for the first time on March 8, 1992. Then, it was resumed in June-July 1992 with the ceremony in the form of Pamungkah Agung, Ngenteg Linggih and Pujawali.
Furthermore, through the Decree No.07/Kep./V/PHDI/1992, the central office of the Hindu Dharma Council of Indonesia (PHDI) named the temple ‘Pura Mandara Giri Semeru Agung’ with the status as kahyangan jagat or universal temple, a sanctum to adore God with devotees of all the Hindus in Indonesia.www.bali-travelnews.com
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