About Padangtegal

Padangtegal Village, Ubud

Overview

Padangtegal is a traditional Balinese village (desa adat) located in Ubud Subdistrict, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia. It covers an area of approximately 1.28 km² and is home to around 2,400 residents.

The village is internationally known for the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Mandala Suci Wenara Wana), a sacred nature reserve and spiritual site that reflects the unity of culture, nature, and spirituality in Balinese philosophy.

History

Padangtegal’s origins date back during the rise of the Pejeng–Bedulu era in central Bali.
The village was established as a spiritual and agricultural settlement, guided by the Tri Hita Karana philosophy — maintaining harmony between God (Parahyangan), Humans (Pawongan), and Nature (Palemahan).

Early settlers built their temples and irrigation systems (subak) along the fertile lands of Ubud, blending religious devotion with sustainable agriculture. Over time, Padangtegal became renowned for its sacred temples, artistic heritage, and its forest sanctuary which has long been regarded as a spiritual buffer zone protecting the community.

Geography and Environment

  • Location: Central Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali
  • Area: ±1.28 km²
  • Subdivisions (Banjar): Padangtegal Kaja, Mekarsari, Padangtegal Kelod, and Padang Kencana
  • Elevation: Approximately 250 meters above sea level
  • Landscape: Tropical rainforest terrain interwoven with rice fields, rivers, and sacred groves.

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary occupies around 12 hectares in the southern part of the village. It functions as both a natural conservation area and a spiritual sanctuary, housing:

  • Over 700–1,200 long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis)
  • More than 100 species of trees, including sacred banyans and pule trees
  • Several ancient temple complexes, intricately merged with the forest environment

The forest is referred to locally as “Wenara Wana” — the forest of sacred monkeys — and is considered a “Hutan Yadnya”, meaning a forest that supports ritual offerings and spiritual ceremonies.

Temples of Padangtegal

The spiritual structure of Padangtegal follows the traditional Balinese temple system, divided into Pura Kahyangan Tiga (the three main temples) and Pura Manca (supporting temples). Together, they form a sacred network maintaining spiritual balance within the village.

I. Pura Kahyangan Tiga (Three Main Temples)

  1. Pura Desa lan Puseh Padangtegal
    • Serves as the central (desa) and origin (puseh) temple of the village.
    • Dedicated to Brahma (the Creator) and Vishnu (the Preserver).
    • Venue for major communal ceremonies such as the piodalan desa (village anniversary).
    • Located toward the kaja (mountainward) direction, symbolizing purity and origin.
  2. Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal
    • Known as the Great Temple of Death, located within the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
    • Dedicated to Lord Shiva, symbolizing transformation and the cycle of life and death.
    • Serves as the focal site for pitra yadnya (ancestral rites) and Ngaben (cremation) ceremonies.
    • Believed to date back to around the 14th century, making it one of Ubud’s oldest temples.
  3. Pura Beji
    • A holy spring purification temple, dedicated to Dewi Gangga (Goddess of sacred waters).
    • Used for melukat (purification) rituals before temple ceremonies.
    • Symbolizes cleansing and renewal.
  4. Pura Prajapati
    • Dedicated to Prajapati, the deity of creation and caretaker of mortal life.
    • Located near the village cemetery, representing the transition between life and death.
    • Plays a key role during Ngaben ceremonies, as the body is placed here before cremation at Pura Dalem Agung.
    • Spiritually paired with Dalem Agung, forming a complete cycle of birth–life–death–rebirth.

II. Pura Manca (Supporting Temples)

  1. Pura Kloncing
    • A guardian temple marking the village boundary.
    • Used for guru piduka (purification) and caru (sacrifice) rituals to maintain spiritual balance and protection.
  2. Pura Panti Pasek Tohjiwa
    • Belongs to the Pasek Tohjiwa lineage (soroh).
    • Serves as a community and worship space for clan members within Padangtegal.
  3. Pura Padangkerta (Pasek Padang Subadra)
    • The ancestral temple (pura dadia) of the Pasek Padang Subadra family group.
    • Used for ancestral offerings and spiritual continuity ceremonies.
  4. Pura Taman Sari
    • Translates to “Temple of the Beautiful Garden.”
    • Dedicated to Dewi Sri, goddess of rice, fertility, and abundance.
    • Central to agricultural rituals and prosperity blessings for the community.

Community Organization and Governance

Padangtegal operates under the Desa Adat (customary village) system, which functions alongside the Desa Dinas (administrative village).

Organizational Structure:

  • Bendesa Adat: The head of the customary village, responsible for cultural and spiritual matters.
  • Prajuru Adat and Banjar: Council members who oversee administrative and religious events, community welfare, and temple maintenance.
  • Pemangku: Temple priests who perform daily rituals and lead ceremonies.
  • Krama Desa: The community members who participate in village duties (ayahan) and ceremonies.

The village is further divided into four banjar (sub-villages):

  1. Banjar Padangtegal Kaja
  2. Banjar Padangtegal Kelod
  3. Banjar Mekarsari
  4. Banjar Padang Kencana

Each banjar functions as a local social and ritual unit, hosting its own smaller shrines, meeting halls (balai banjar), and community programs.

Economy, Culture, and Sustainability

Padangtegal’s economy blends tourism, arts, and traditional agriculture. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuaryserves as the main economic and conservation hub, generating funds used to:

  • Support temple restoration
  • Maintain environmental conservation programs
  • Fund community welfare and education

The village also promotes:

  • Waste management and eco-tourism programs
  • Preservation of Balinese performing arts and handicrafts
  • Maintenance of subak irrigation systems and agricultural heritage

Through these initiatives, Padangtegal has become a model for community-based tourism that respects both cultural integrity and environmental balance.

Cultural Philosophy

The life of Padangtegal revolves around Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese principle of three harmonies:

  1. Parahyangan – Harmony with God, through daily prayers and temple ceremonies
  2. Pawongan – Harmony among humans, through social cooperation and mutual respect
  3. Palemahan – Harmony with nature, through environmental stewardship and sacred forest preservation

This philosophy guides every aspect of Padangtegal’s development — from temple rituals to tourism management — ensuring that spiritual, social, and ecological wellbeing remain inseparable.