THE WEST Lombok village of Lingsar takes its name from the words “Ling” which means “revelation” and “Sar” which means “clear.” It means “clear revelation.”
Only nine kilometres from Mataram city, Lingsar village houses a complex of religious buildings which are significant and sacred to both the Hindu society and to Lombok’s Moslem community of indigenous Sasak people, especially those who follow the rites of Wetu Telu (Three Prayers) Islam.
Near the Hindu temple at Lingsar is a kemalik – a place that is sacred to the Sasaks. Lingsar may be one of the world’s few – if not our only – religious complex at which both Hindus and Moslems worship together.
The complex was built in the year 1759 by King Anak Agung Ngurah of the Balinese kingdom of Karangasem, which ruled part of West Lombok. Hence, the kemalik and other buildings show traditional Balinese architecture.
Apart from the temple and kemalik, the king created a park with a lake and springs.
The entire area is a dynamic example of how different ethnic groups with different cultures and religions can live in harmony and be mutually supportive. Both Moslems and Hindus believe God has gifted the area with spring water which is the source of life.
When the entourage of about 80 people from the Kingdom of Karangasem came ashore on Lombok near Mount Pengsong, they were led by the king, a senior Hindu priest and a specialist in farming and construction. The group journeyed from Mount Pengsong through Perampuan, Pagutan and Pagesangan.
Arriving in the region of Punikan, the travellers heard the roar of a new spring erupting and flowing profusely. They understood this to be a revelation that they should build a temple on this site.
Thus, Lingsar temple was established in the year 1759 – the year in which the Cakrenagara-based rule of Mataram terminated. The temple was intentionally built to co-exist with the sacred Sasak kemalik in order to unify the Sasak community with the people from Bali.
The importance of the place to the Sasak people stems from their conviction that the source of the pure and holy spring water is linked to Wetu Telu beliefs and Prince Sumilir from the Medayin Kingdom.
For the Wetu Telu Sasaks, the kemalik can be used by anyone at any time. But every year, they gather together with Lombok’s Hindus for the colourful Perang Topat ceremony, known as the Rice Cake War.
The large Lingsar Park complex consists of the temple, the kemalik and the springs. It features linking buildings, bales, shrines and places for prayer and art. There are numerous spring fountains separated for men and women to bathe. The southern part of the Lingsar complex houses a 40 x 40-metre pool, made of stone and cement, which provides irrigation for the surrounding communities.
Lingsar is a multi-functional, historic location which transcends differences in religion, culture and ethnic heritage. Its Hindu temple is the holiest on Lombok.
Source:enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com
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