RAMBUT SIWI TEMPLE
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Large, red-brick temple on a cliff overlooking the beach, between the villages of Yeh Satang and Yeh Embang.
A must-see in Medewi! Pura Rambut Siwi is a large red-brick temple located between the villages of Yeh Satang and Yeh Embang, on a cliff overlooking the beach. Along with Tanah Lot, Petit-Tenget and Ulu Watu, it is one of the four great coastal temples of the west. Its construction dates back to the 16th century, and is said to have been the work of Dang Hyang Nirartha, the famous and mystical Javanese itinerant priest who revived the faith in Bali.
Legend has it that he donated his hair to the villagers and that, since the temple was built, this relic has been preciously kept inside the temple, in a sandalwood box under a 3-roofed meru . Siwi Rambut means "hair cult".
On the practical side, you'll have to wear the belt around your waist to go around the temple, but you won't be able to enter the courtyard. You can, however, take a peek from the Paduraksa. The candi bentar (split door) is protected by two beautiful mythological tigers. An altar is dedicated to Sri Dewi, the rice goddess so venerated in Bali. Leaving the temple and heading towards the sea, a small temple in a cave, Pura Tirta (the temple of lustrous water) is guarded by a statue of Nirartha, and a little further on, a cave (Goa Mayan Sati) is forbidden to visitors, as it is the place where priests prepare for ordination... The view from Pura Rambut Siwi over the vast black-sand beach is superb. For that alone, it's well worth the detour!
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