THE INTERESTINGS OF PENGLIPURAN VILLAGE
Penglipuran Village is one of the tourism objects in Bali. It located in Bangli Subdistrict, Bangli Regency. It is about 6 km to the north from the centre town of Bangli Regency and it is about 45 km from Denpasar. Finding the village is very easy, because the location is near of the main road of Bangli-Kintamani. The location of Penglipuran Village is strategic, which is between Kehen Temple and Mount Batur. Many interesting places can be found in the village which makes this village to become one of the tourism objects in Bali. On the centre of the village can be seen the traditional houses with the roofs are made of the bamboo tree. And the form of the houses is similar each others.
If we are just entering the village area of Penglipuran, the first thing that is able to be seen is a big gateway covered with bamboo inscribed "Welcome to Penglipuran Village". It becomes the first greetings when entering Penglipuran Village. After entering the main gate, furthermore, we will see the very beautiful village with very special layout. The people’s houses are divided into two lines; the west line and the east line. Between west line and east line, there is the gate door mutual face. The gateway form of people’s houses is similar. It is covered by bamboos with the wall is made of brown soil. The main road of this village is made of special material called paving. Cars may not pass by this road. For the people that have car, they can pass the road which surround outside of the village. This road is made of asphalt. So, they will enter the house from behind yard, not from in front of house yard. This matter is done to purpose to keep over the village preservation and cleanliness, so that the tourists feel pleasant to tour in Penglipuran Village.
Penglipuran has area 1.12 km2 in total, and it located on height about 500 - 600 meters above sea level, so this village is belonging to plateau region. Penglipuran borders Kayang village on the north; Kubu Village on the east; Tegal Suci and Cempaga Village on the south. And it borders Cekeng Village on the west which is separated by Sangsang River. Penglipuran is surrounded by the natural environment, which makes the weather of this village is cold. On the northern side of Penglipuran, there is a large bamboo forest with a lot of bamboos species can be found there. And it becomes the interesting place to wander for enjoying natural environment. Walking to the western side of the village, there is Sangsang River with the tropical trees along the river. This river is shallow, so that everyone can swim and fish there.
According to the history, in the last time, this village was the forest which was used by the troops of the Bangli Kingdom as a place for making fortress when they were in war. The troops were almost from Bayung Gede Village, a village in Kintamani Subdistrict, the northern part of Bangli Regency. Furthermore, the troops then increased and they agreed to establish a village, which is now called Penglipuran. Although, the people in Penglipuran have separated with their ancestor in Bayung Gede, but they still have relationship another, especially in a ceremony and cultural system. Generally, the Penglipuran people are Bali Aga ethnic or the ancient Balinese ethnic. Most of the people are farmer, and some are policeman, teacher, and employer. All people in Penglipuran are Hindus and practicing the ceremony which is adapted with their own culture.
Penglipuran also has the significant role in the Bangli Regency Governance. It contributes the regional income to the regency government by tourism. Besides that, the history recorded that in Penglipuran had ever been the Independence War between Indonesian troops and NICA (Netherlands) troops. At the time, a hero named A. A. Anom Muditha was dead. For respecting the merit of the hero, on the southern part of the village, there is built the heroic monument where the statue of A. A. Anom Muditha is there. Every year, this monument is used as the main place at the Independence Day Celebration Ceremony in Bangli Regency. Besides that, in the monument area, a large grass field can be the place to build the tent where the Student Scouts are camping.
From the descriptions above, it can be concluded that Penglipuran has the places of natural environment, culture, tourism, and historical building. Besides that, the people’s culture in Penglipuran makes this village is not only known by the beautiful view of this village. The existence of this village in Bangli Government also makes this village has the important role in Bangli Government. So, the existence of the interesting places and things in Penglipuran should be kept of its preservation.
