1. Sukawati
Sukawati, meaning beautiful joy, is a floutishing maker town famous for hadicrafts. During the Dalem dynasty in the early part of the 18th century, it was the center of a powerful kingdom. Legend has it that the town came under the spell of Ki Balian Batur, and evil socerer who was later defeated by the court of Klungkung. Ki Balian's name lives on in the name of the nearby hamlet of Rangkan, 'Place Of The Evildoer'.
'Kain prada' cloth, gold-leafed by hand in the past, is silkcreened by sukawati's villagers for customes and shrines, and made into lovely temple oarasols and even more famous for producing some of bali's best dalang (puppeteers), who made their own 'wayang kulit', or leather puppets, delicately carved from thin cattle hide and then painted. The dalang's work is very complicated and it's take years to master the craft. The art market (pasar seni) cover two floors, and sells everything from wind chimes statues to clothing, paintings and dance customes. Items vary in quality, but all are much less expensive than at the large art shops and even at stalls in kuta.
Sukawati presents some striking temples. Pura Penataran Agung in the centre of sukawati is sacred to members of the royal houses of the surrounding areas since it was the highest ranking. Destroyed in an earthquake in 1917, the temple has since been rebuilt to a smaller scale. Next door is Pura Kawitan Dalem Sukawati with it's interesting panel carvings depicting the Tantri fables. In the northeast part of thetown is Pura Desa with its huge split gate.
2. Batubulan
The village of Batubulan, meaning moonstone, is famous for its stone carvings. These are exhibited all along the main road and many are crafted from 'paras', which is composed of compressed clay and volcanic ash found in nearby ravines. It's so soft and porous that the tropical climate wears it down, making it necessary for temple carvings to be replaced every few decades. FInally, Batubulan is the place to come if you're interested in seeing some Balinese performances, including the Barong dance and trance dances, which are performed here for visitors
'Kain prada' cloth, gold-leafed by hand in the past, is silkcreened by sukawati's villagers for customes and shrines, and made into lovely temple oarasols and even more famous for producing some of bali's best dalang (puppeteers), who made their own 'wayang kulit', or leather puppets, delicately carved from thin cattle hide and then painted. The dalang's work is very complicated and it's take years to master the craft. The art market (pasar seni) cover two floors, and sells everything from wind chimes statues to clothing, paintings and dance customes. Items vary in quality, but all are much less expensive than at the large art shops and even at stalls in kuta.
Sukawati presents some striking temples. Pura Penataran Agung in the centre of sukawati is sacred to members of the royal houses of the surrounding areas since it was the highest ranking. Destroyed in an earthquake in 1917, the temple has since been rebuilt to a smaller scale. Next door is Pura Kawitan Dalem Sukawati with it's interesting panel carvings depicting the Tantri fables. In the northeast part of thetown is Pura Desa with its huge split gate.
2. Batubulan
The village of Batubulan, meaning moonstone, is famous for its stone carvings. These are exhibited all along the main road and many are crafted from 'paras', which is composed of compressed clay and volcanic ash found in nearby ravines. It's so soft and porous that the tropical climate wears it down, making it necessary for temple carvings to be replaced every few decades. FInally, Batubulan is the place to come if you're interested in seeing some Balinese performances, including the Barong dance and trance dances, which are performed here for visitors
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