Melanting Temple is located in Banyupoh Village, Grokgak District, Buleleng Regency, in North Bali. It is approximately 50 km west of Singaraja City.
The temple serves not only as a place of worship for Hindus, especially traders, but also attracts tourists due to its unique beauty and serene setting at the foothills of Pemuteran.
Melanting Temple has a distinctive and mystical history, often associated with the journey of a powerful Javanese priest named Dang Hyang Nirartha.
The name Pura Melanting derives from the words “Mel” and “Anting.” “Mel” means jewelry, while “Anting” means stone. In a general sense, Melanting translates to “a piece of jewelry made of stone,” with gold being a key element.
Abstractly, Melanting Temple is considered a sacred site dedicated to offering crops to Dewi Melanting.
To reach Pura Melanting, you’ll need to drive through a rural road, but it’s accessible by car or tour bus. Upon arrival, you’ll find the atmosphere calm and peaceful.
The large parking area leads up to Pura Melanting, which stands majestically and beautifully on an elevated site. As you climb the steps and pass through the gate, you’ll be greeted by two large dragon statues that adorn the main entrance to the temple.
Before reaching the main temple area, you’ll pass through several temple complexes dedicated to prayer. The design of Melanting Temple has been masterfully reimagined by the renowned Balinese architect Ida Bagus Tugur.
Situated on highland, Melanting Temple offers stunning views of the surrounding natural beauty. From the temple, you can enjoy vistas of the lush green hills that encircle the area.
From a distance, you can see the blue waters of the Java Sea. The serene and tranquil atmosphere, away from the crowds, makes it an ideal spot for meditation to soothe the soul and mind. Additionally, the pujawali (ceremonial offering) or odalan (temple anniversary) at Melanting Temple aligns with the Purnama Sasih Kapat, according to the Isaka calendar.
Melanting Temple is an ideal tourist attraction for visitors to North Bali. Historically, it is one of the Kahyangan Jagat Temples in Bali, holding a significant place among the island’s sacred temples.
As a religious site dedicated to the worship of Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa, this temple serves as a place of devotion to Ida Bhatari Melanting, or Dewi Melanting.
The Melanting Temple is believed to bring prosperity, fertility, safety, and success in business ventures. It is closely associated with trade and commerce, which is why Melanting Temples are often established in market areas.
Worship of Dewi Melanting at this temple is comparable to the veneration of Bhatara Rambut Sedana or Dewa Kwera, who are considered gods of wealth and prosperity.
One key lesson taught by Bhatari Melanting in trade is the importance of honesty. It is believed that traders who engage in deceit, such as selling spoiled goods or tampering with scales, will never succeed in their business. Many traders have experienced and strongly believe in this principle.
Melanting temple on map :