The Desa Lan Puseh Temple, located in the heart of Denpasar, at Banjar Wangaya Kelod, Dauh Puri Kaja in North Denpasar, is a striking example of traditional Balinese architecture. This temple boasts a layered structure that features three distinctive courtyards: the inner sanctuary, or jeroan, the middle area, referred to as jaba tengah, and the outer area, or jaba sisi.
Under the stewardship of a traditional village community, the temple is classified as a village temple. The temple administration is shared among 17 banjars, which are unique Balinese communal wards, and it is revered by as many as 92 banjars, reflecting its broad influence and importance.
The Desa Lan Puseh Temple holds historical significance as well. Archaeologists have discovered remnants, including a Ganesa statue, within its sanctuary. This statue, which is estimated to have been crafted in the 14th-15th centuries, presents Ganesa seated upon a padmaganda, or lotus pedestal. The deity's four hands are intricately depicted: the rear right hand holds an aksamala, or string of prayer beads, the rear left hand grasps an axe, the front right hand holds a broken tusk, and the front left hand contains a bowl. The statue is crowned with a multi-tiered lotus petal arrangement, and its upavita, a sacred thread, is rendered as a snake. In a unique depiction, Ganesa's trunk is portrayed sipping from the bowl. The statue not only adds to the temple's historical richness but also provides an intriguing insight into the artistic sensibilities of the era.
Source Cover Image: kebudayaan.kemdikbud.go.id/