Penglipuran Village in Bali is located at an altitude of 625 meters above sea level and is about 6 kilometers from the city of Bangli. This village is located 1 kilometer from the village of Kubu. Penglipuran Village has recently been named one of the three cleanest villages in the world.
This village is untouched by modernization, even you cannot park your vehicle in this village. All cars and motorbikes from visitors must be parked outside of the village.
The immaculate village and garden atmosphere that is free from pollution and no noise from their surroundings have become a very authentic experience for you to visit. The interesting things are ranging from grand culture and myth to high hospitality and warm smiles from local people.
Penglipuran Village in Bali and the meaning of Penglipuran
According to mythology and the testimony of elders from ancient times, the name Penglipuran comes from the word ‘Pengeling Pura’, which means remembering ancestors. This shows that this village was originally made solely to honor their ancestors in Kintamani. That is why the village of Penglipuran is one of the villages in Bali where people regularly offer the offerings and hold rituals to honor mythological spirits.
There are other interpretations of the word Penglipuran, some say penglipuran comes from the word ‘Pelipur Lara’, which means to comfort the sorrow and some others say ‘Pangleng’ and ‘Pura’, which means four temples at each point of direction.
The layout of the village itself is adapted from the concept of the Three Balinese Hindu Mandalas: Parhyangan which means a sacred area, Pawongan which means a residential area, and Palemahan which means grave and agricultural area. In this village clearly seen traditional Balinese architecture with materials such as stone, wood, palm, and bamboo that are well maintained.
In the Pawongan area, there are courtyard gates, traditional kitchens, guesthouses, and prayer areas. The view of the village is not like other Balinese villages, because Penglipuran is kept as pure as possible as a form of respect for the Gods and ancestors. It’s really very sacred when we first set foot in this village.
In the Palemahan area, there are three sites, these sites tell how people died and at what age they died. Unlike ordinary Balinese, the ‘Ngaben’ ceremony (funeral ritual), instead of cremation, the bodies of the Penglipuran residents were buried in this area and not outside of their area.
Just a little outside Penglipuran Village, which is part of the Parhyangan region. Besides that, you will be able to see a beautiful 45-hectare sacred bamboo forest where you can walk and spoil your eyes for the beauty of the village.
In the center of the village, you will find four simple buildings, but behind the simplicity, the temples are beautiful where people can pray and pay their respects. In addition, each resident lives in harmony with his neighbors.
Neighbors and local residents will offer you the best hospitality so there are many reasons for those of you who are interested in local culture to see this quiet village more closely.
How to access the Penglipuran village in Bali
Administratively, Penglipuran Village is located in Kubu, Bangli Regency, Bali. Its location is 5 kilometers from the center of Bangli City. It takes about one hour from Denpasar by car. When you arrive in Bangli City, you must look for Jl. Nusantara until you find the intersection, then turn left according to the sign that points to Penglipuran Village which is about 300 meters from the road.
Where to stay
To stay at a resident’s house or better known as the Penglipuran homestay is as authentic as visiting the village and interacting with the locals because the homestay is in the village itself.
A place to stay is clean, maintained very carefully and beautifully decorated, and has simple facilities, visitors can spend the night with local residents and bring home extraordinary memories compared to staying at a luxury hotel outside the village.
These homestays are designed to follow the atmosphere of Bali as a whole and the host is quite friendly, so you will feel like a part of the villagers, not as a guest in the Penglipuran village in Bali.
