Before revealing themselves to the naked eye, Sekumpul Falls let their presence be known with a potent rumble - the waters of two mountain streams fly into a deep green valley, falling 80 metres, creating a vision with few equals in the whole world. In Balinese, Sekumpul means “group”, “gathering” - differing from what happens in other parts of the island, here, there are actually seven distinct cascades, each with its own water flow. Surrounding them, a luxurious forest of bambù, durian and rambutan shoot up towards the heavens. Until a few years ago, Sekumpul Falls was a secret paradise only visited by locals. However, the allure of their beauty is totally irresistible - today, excursionists from around the world venture over trails, brooks and slippery steps to enjoy the landscape and, if the season permits, a restorative dive into the fresh waters of the underlying pool. On the way, views range from rice paddies and coffee plantations while the lakes of Bedugul are nearby with an aquatic temple dedicated to the Goddess Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu.
It is one of the sacred dances of the of Bali Island, with a mystical meaning. The ceremony is intended to ask for salvation from a catastrophe or epidemic. The Sanghyang Dedari is different from other Balinese dances, because Sanghyang requires the dancer's body to be possessed.
The purity of the offering to the gods in the Rejang Dance
Only very young dancers, a symbol of purity and sacredness, can perform the Rejang Dance in the internal area of the temple as an offering to the Gods.