In Balinese Hindu mythology, there is a story believed to explain the origin of the separation between Java and Bali.
This legend revolves around a sacred priest named Dang Hyang Siddhimantra and his son, Manik Angkeran.
Dang Hyang Siddhimantra was a powerful priest living in Java. He had a son, Manik Angkeran, who was known for his gambling habits and reckless spending of his family’s wealth.
After squandering all of his father’s riches, Manik Angkeran demanded more.
To teach his son a lesson, Dang Hyang Siddhimantra took him to Mount Agung in Bali, home to Naga Besukih, a mystical dragon guarding the treasures of the underworld.
Using his sacred mantra, Siddhimantra summoned the dragon, which then released gold and jewels from its body.
However, Manik Angkeran’s greed led him to act recklessly. While his father was away, he returned to the cave where Naga Besukih lived and attempted to steal its treasure by cutting off the dragon’s tail. Furious at this betrayal, the dragon burned Manik Angkeran to ashes.
Upon learning of his son’s fate, Dang Hyang Siddhimantra pleaded with Naga Besukih to bring Manik Angkeran back to life. The dragon agreed but imposed a condition—Manik Angkeran had to atone for his actions by dedicating himself as an ascetic in Bali.
After Manik Angkeran was revived, Dang Hyang Siddhimantra decided to return to Java. However, as he was about to cross the land bridge that once connected Java and Bali, he plunged his sacred staff into the ground and chanted a mantra. Instantly, the land split apart, forming the Bali Strait.
According to legend, this separation symbolizes the boundary between the spiritual world (Bali) and the material world (Java), becoming an important symbol in Balinese Hindu belief. To this day, many believe that maintaining the balance between the two islands is essential.
This legend is often linked to the ongoing rejection of the Java-Bali bridge project. Many Balinese people believe that a bridge would dismantle the spiritual barrier between the two islands, disrupting the balance of nature and Balinese culture.
This belief is one of the main reasons why plans for the bridge have consistently faced obstacles and opposition from various parties.
Java and Bali are currently separated by the Bali Strait, which is about 5 kilometers wide. Geologically, the two islands were once connected approximately 23 million years ago before natural processes caused their separation.
The idea of building a bridge connecting Java and Bali has been discussed since the 1960s. Professor Sedyatmo from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) proposed a project called “Tri Nusa Bimasakti,” aiming to connect three islands: Sumatra, Java, and Bali. In 2012, the Banyuwangi Regency Government also proposed the construction of a Bali Strait Bridge to enhance mobility and economic growth between the two regions.
Nevertheless, the bridge project has faced rejection, especially from the Balinese community and traditional leaders. The opposition is based on several reasons.
First, the predominantly Hindu Balinese society believes that Java and Bali should remain separate. According to Hindu mythology, as told in the legend of Dang Hyang Siddhimantra, the separation of the two islands by the sea serves as a filter to prevent negative influences from entering Bali.
Second, in Balinese Hindu tradition, no structure should be taller than a place of worship or Padmasana. The construction of a tall bridge is feared to violate this principle and could disrupt the spiritual order of Balinese society.
Third, there are concerns that a direct connection between Java and Bali could bring unwanted social and cultural changes, as well as increase migration flows that might affect the demographic balance and local culture.
Although technically feasible and long debated, the construction of a bridge between Java and Bali remains hindered by cultural, spiritual, and social considerations.
To this day, connectivity between the two islands relies on sea and air transportation, in line with the values and beliefs upheld by the Balinese people. (BT)
