Hidden away in the historic Gajah Mada Heritage District of Denpasar, Bali, the Sing Bie Temple is situated on Jalan Kartini, Gang II.
This area, known as Pecinan or Chinatown, has a long history as a settlement for Chinese traders who came during the colonial era to trade at the nearby Payuk Market.
Among these early settlers was the Sing Bie family, devout followers of the Siwa-Buddha tradition, deeply intertwined with Balinese culture.
Over time, the family’s descendants established the Sing Bie Temple as a private place of worship.
Nestled behind the row of shophouses in Gajah Mada, the temple serves as a sacred space for Siwa-Buddha worship.
It is managed by I Wayan Gunawan and Tio Sung Tao, a Chinese-Balinese couple who are better known by their spiritual names, Jero Gede Kuning and Jero Sung.
The temple features a unique blend of Hindu and Confucian elements. In the prayer area, offerings commonly associated with Hindu rituals, such as canang (flower offerings), incense, and fruit, are present.
“This is a Siwa-Buddha temple,” Jero Gede Kuning explains. “On the Buddhist side, we honor Dewi Kwan Im, Dewa Kwan Kong, and the god of wealth. On the Siwa side, we worship Ratu Gede Nusa, Bunda Ratu Subandar, and Bhatara Segara.”
The sacred inner chamber, measuring approximately 3 by 4 meters, houses statues and sacred figures, including representations of Dewa Kwan Kong and Dewi Kwan Im.
Additionally, there are masks symbolizing Dalem Sidakarya and Ratu Gede, along with a statue of Bhatara Rambut Sedana and other spiritual symbols.
Enhancing the temple’s atmosphere are sacred Barongsai and Liong (dragon dance figures).
A pair of black and white Barongsai is enshrined within the temple, symbolizing protection and balance.
Though the temple’s current structure was officially completed in 2015, the worship of Dewi Kwan Im had begun at this site a decade earlier.
The temple stands as a beautiful testament to the harmonious fusion of Chinese and Balinese spiritual traditions, reflecting the multicultural heritage of the area. (BT)
