
No.043/VIII - Oct/Nov' 99

A Piece of Paradise
Discovering the Sidemen secret

Fruits From the tree of
life
Nine steps to coconut palm appreciation

The Tradition Lives On
The Islam Wetu Telu Religion
Inspired
By Rinjani
The King's Playground at Narmada
Lombok
Update

Gallery
In a Perfect World
Entertainment
Dramatic Revival
The Gambuh Drama regains Popularity
Entertainment
The Art of Balinese Clowning
Advanture
The Balinese Notebook
Postcard
Weather
Natural
Bali
An Uncertain Future
Food
The Fusion of Foods
Environment
Action
Turtle Crisis
Fiction
The Hook and Your Eyes
Jungle Drums
Bali Sing KenKen

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The King also reproduced Segara Anak Lake on the
southern side of Rinjani Hill, which wraps around to the eastern side of the
hill. A few small boats are provided for the visitors who want to enjoy the beauty of the
lake, which is surrounded by shady trees and groups of chirping birds entering and leaving
their nests.
Just beside the miniature version of
Segara Anak Lake is a big pool named Segara Muncar Pool with a fountain in the middle.
This was specially dedicated to the maids as their bathing place. Above the pool is Bale
Terang, a place where the King stayed for the night or used as a resting place whenever he
visited the area.
From the Bale it is possible to see the complete Narmada view. The Bale
is like a stage, with two sets of stairs as in Bale-Bale. There is a small
room on each of the end, and it is believed that this was where the King spent the night
with his maids.
HOLY WATER
According to Balinese custom, visitors must wear yellow shawls to enter
places with sacred value, which is the case with Narmada as well. The shawl must be worn
not just to enter the gate, but also to go into the small room where there is a holy
spring.
For a moment, I felt like I was in Bali. When I was inside the room,
the overwhelming yellow colour, the form of the ceremony, the use of umbrellas, and the
presence of a high priest lighting the incense were all distinctly Balinese. The strong
aroma of the incense smoke only strengthened my image of Bali.
The room was very small, and inside the
high priest led a small ceremony that was followed by Hindu worshipping visitors.
Everything was quiet for about 5 minutes. Then, one by one, Hindu visitors were asked to
descend a few stairs to the holy springs. Some of them had prepared one or two big bottles
to keep the holy water in, which, it is believed, would provide health and fortune. Other
visitors - including myself - just enjoyed a quick face wash and took a drink from the
clean water.
My visit was complete after being refreshed by the holy water. When I
emerged from the small room, the sky was growing dark. Some of the girls who had been
playing beneath the evening sun headed home, while I returned with my own impression of
Narmada.
FULL OUT:
To understand Narmada, you must try to appreciate the fascination of the kings
ceremony that has become a legend.
According to Balinese custom, visitors must wear yellow shawls to enter places with sacred
value, which is the case with Narmada as well.
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