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Camphuan River, Where Two Rivers Meet
In the traditional village of Ubud , there is one particular river there, situated below Pura Gunung Lebah (Gunung Lebah Temple). That river is called Camphuan River, it is a place where two rivers meet.
Balai Kukul of Pura Gunung Lebah
This photograph depicts the Balai Kukul from Pura Gunung Lebah. Balai Kukul is a structure that is part of the Temple Compound. Kukul means bell or cymbal.Something that is struck to make a strong sound during ceremony.
Photograph by Dewi Dian
The meaning of Camphuan
The word ‘Camphuan’ comes from the word ‘campur’, which means ‘to mix’. It is this particular definition in Bali, that Camphuan is the meeting of two ends of a river, becoming one. This river may be said to be quite special for the Pitra Yadnya Ceremonies. Pitra Yadnya means ceremony that relates to cremation. It is here in this river, where two rivers meet as one, that the symbolic representations of the departed is offered into the waters to be taken to the sea after their cremation ceremony. This is the final stage of their purification ceremony.
This photograph shows the River Camphuan, whereby it is named due to the meeting of two water sources meet and become one. In Bali, there are several rivers such as this, the only difference being how large or small they are. not all carry the same significance for ritual as this river in Ubud.
Camphuan River, Photograph by I Dewa Ketut Oka
Aside from the significance of the two water sources, there are several flat rock formations at this river’s junction. These large flat rocks were usually used to sit on, or place washing before people bathed there once upon a time. However, because this location has been through a purification ceremony, it has been blessed , there is no longer anyone who would use these flat rocks as seats or the river as a place to bathe anymore.
‘There’s no possibility of anyone sitting on the Flat Rock today, let alone place laundry there. It is as though the rock already has someone residing there that is not visible to us. Maybe that does not make sense to everyone, but in Bali, according to each owns beliefs, this is a tangible reality.’ In other words, in this world we live alongside another world that can not be seen. Many things happen that does not always follow logic.
Because of that, people would not sit on the Flat Rock, out of respect for the residing presence there. It is a practice of mutual respect to safeguard the harmony between the two worlds.
In the present times, if we go for a walk or sit by the River Camphuan, generally, we will find people enjoying the morning fresh air. Many come to do their exercises with their friends or pets. There is a popular scenic track that begins from this location. Every day the Flat Rocks and the River is visited by many people from different countries.Perhaps they might feel a peaceful calm there.
People go to the River Camphuan, for specific purpose or just happen to pass by. Regardless of which, many are often seen to wet their head with the water from where the two rivers merge. Because they believe the water brings blessing and purification to them.
A River’s Blessing, Photograph by Dewi Dian
In 1987, I was once invited by my parents to go to this river to release the symbolic remnants of a loved one. That ceremony is the last ceremony for a person’s life. It is called Nyekah. During that year, the most noticeable difference to today, is the buildings and traffic.
There were not many cars, it is as though, it felt still very calm and assuring, when we go there. There were still a lot of rice fields and the area was very clean. A very peaceful and cooling atmosphere. Although it is beautiful today, those changes were noticeable. The impact from drastic increase in congestion.
A Crossing, Photography by Dewi Dian
Since the Covid Pandemic disaster came to Bali, there is a positive perspective one can see.We are given an opportunity to think and reflect. Because the reality today, the River Camphuan has returned to same pristine, peaceful and calming atmosphere that I remember from years ago. Since we visited there these past weeks, it can be felt, the positive changes that is present in the Nature here.
Sungai Camphuan, Pertemuan Dua Sungai
oleh I Dewa Ketut Oka
Terjemahan dan posting oleh Dewi Dian.
Di Desa Adat Ubud, ada suatu sungai di bawah Pura Gunung Lebah. Sungai itu dinamakan Sungai Camphuan.
Gambar in menunjukkan Balai Kukul dari Pura Gunung Lebah. Balai Kukul adalah struktur yang termasuk dari bahian Pura. Kukul berarti lonceng. Lonceng ini di bunyikan pada saat saat ada ritual atau perkumpulan khusus.
Fotografi oleh Dewi Dian
Arti Kata Camphuan
Camphuan berasal dari kata Campuh yg artinya campuran. Sering disebutkan di Bali Camphuan itu pertemuan dua ujung sungai yang airnya menjadi satu. Sungai ini bisa dikatakan spesial untuk upacara Pitra Yadnya. Pitra Yadnya artinya upacara yang berkaitan denga pengabenan. Di situlah tempatnya dulu untuk menghanyutkan simbol simbol manusia yang sudah disucikan setelah pengabenan.
Di samping itu pun ada beberapa jejeran batu lempeh yang biasanya dipakai untuk duduk atau untuk menaruh pakaian sebelum mandi pada jaman dulu. Karena tempat itu sekarang sudah disucikan sampai sekarang tidak ada lagi orang duduk atau mandi ke tempat itu lagi.
Gambar ini menunjukkan Sungai Camphuan, di mana dua sumber air bertemu jadi satu. Di Bali ada beberapa seperti ini tapi hanya dengan besar kecilnya berbeda diantara sungai sungai itu.
Camphuan River, Fotografi oleh I Dewa Ketut Oka
Jangankan duduk di batu lempeh itu, atau menaruh pakaian, seolah olah, batu itu sudah ada penghuninya yang tidak dilihat oleh kasat mata. Kemungkinan itu tidak masuk akal pada semua orang, tetapi di Bali, sesuai dengan kepercayaan masing masing, ini sebagai kenyataan.
Dalam arti, di dunia ini kita hidup berdampingan denga alam yang tidak kelihatan. Banyak hal yang terjadi yang tidak selalu mengikuti logika.
Batu Lempeh, Fotografi oleh I Dewa Ketut Oka
Jadi karena itu, orang tidak berani duduk di atas batu itu, karena menghargai yang berada di sana. Saling menjaga keharmonisan diantara dua alam ini.
Pada saat sekarang, kalau kita jalan jalan atau duduk di tepi sungai Camphuan, umumnya yang akan ditemukan, yaitu orang orang menikmati udara pagi, kemungkinan olahraga dengan teman atau anjingnya. Ada jalan yang disenangi yang mulai dari lokasi ini. Sehari hari, Batu Lempeh ini dan pertemuan dua sumber air ini, dikunjungi banyak orang dari manca negara. Kemungkinan ada kesejukkan yang bisa dirasakan yang ditemukan mereka di tempat itu.
Orang ke sungai Camphuan, bila khusus atau kebetulan mampir, seringkali akan dilihat membasahi muka sampai kepalanya dengan air pertemuan itu. Karena percaya air itu memberikan kesucian terhadap tubuh diri kita.
Berkah Sungai, Fotografi oleh Dewi Dian.
Pada tahun 1987, saya pernah diajak orang tua untuk menghanyutkan simbol simbol manusia yang sudah disucikan. Ritual ini adalah ritual terakhir seseorang. Namanya Nyekah. Pada tahun itu seingat saya, perbedaan yang paling menyolok adalah bangunan dan kendaraan.
Mobil tidak begitu ramai dan seolah olah kita masih rasa nyaman berjalan ke tempat itu. Masih banyak sawah dan lingkungannya bersih. Suasana sangat sejuk dan adem. Walaupun tetap indah sekarang, perubahan itu terasa, pengaruh dari keramaian yang sangat meningkat.
Penyebrangan, Fotografi oleh Dewi Dian
Semenjak musibah Pandemi Coronavirus berada di Bali, dari sisi yang lebih positif, kita diberikan kesempatan untuk berpikir. Karena kenyataan sekarang, Sungai Camphuan kembali ke suasana yang saya ingat seperti dulu. Kembali lebih sejuk dan bersih. Setelah kita kunjungi dalam beberapa minggu ini, bisa di rasakan perubahan yang positif untuk alam di sini.