Mine Gate Bendungan Sidan in Bali now boasts a new spiritual landmark, Candi Lingga Belah, a monumental gateway rich in symbolism.
Designed and sculpted by I Ketut Putrayasa, a renowned artist from Badung, Bali, the structure was completed in just one month.
According to Ketut Putrayasa, the concept of Candi Lingga Belah originates from the Lingga symbol, which in Hindu philosophy represents Shiva as the creator, preserver, and destroyer.
The Lingga also symbolizes a mountain or meru, known as “lingga acala,” meaning eternal and unshakable.
In the context of the dam, the Lingga is depicted as split, signifying an entrance to the realm of Yoni, the feminine counterpart representing water or tirta.
This balance of Purusha and Pradhana reflects the Hindu belief in the interdependence of masculine and feminine energies.
Water, in Hindu teachings, is not merely a physical element but also a representation of life and knowledge.
In Balinese, it is referred to as “banyu pinaweruh,” meaning the water of wisdom. This concept aligns with the deep reverence Balinese people hold for water as a sacred and life-giving force.
Hindu mythology often describes water as amerta, meaning the essence of eternal life.
The epic Kidung Nawaruci narrates Bhima’s quest for “tirta amerta,” while Adiparwa, the first book of the Mahabharata, tells of the churning of the ocean of milk to obtain tirta sanjiwani, the water of immortality, fiercely contested by gods and demons.
As a source of life, water also carries immense spiritual significance.
In Balinese tradition, those who pollute or harm water are believed to forfeit blessings, both physically and spiritually.
With the presence of Candi Lingga Belah at Bendungan Sidan, the monument is expected to inspire greater awareness of the importance of preserving water.
Beyond its artistic value, the gateway stands as a symbol of reverence, reminding the community of water’s sacred role as a divine gift that must be protected and cherished. (BT)
