Bresela’s Two Ancient Temples Unite Brahma and Vishnu Worship in One Compound
In Balinese custom, Pura Desa and Pura Puseh both rank among Pura Khayangan Tiga temples. The outer courtyard, or Jaba Sisi, serves as the gateway where devotees assemble for initial offerings and prayers. Pura Desa, often called Bale Agung, is devoted to Brahma, the Creator (Utpeti). Pura Puseh pays homage to Vishnu, the Preserver (Sthiti). In most traditional villages the two compounds lie apart, each occupying its own grounds. In a few adat communities they share the same complex, set off only by a gateway or partition. Desa Adat Bresela provides a prime illustration: there, Pura Desa and Pura Puseh stand within the same sacred enclosure, guiding worshippers through village rituals.
The outer courtyard (Jaba Sisi) of the Pura Desa and Pura Puseh complex in Desa Adat Bresela. (Photo: Personal Collection)
All of these shrines occupy one site called Pura Agung Gunung Mas Merenteng, according to Bapak Ida Bagus Putu Astawa, the Bendesa Adat (traditional village head) of Desa Bresela. He explains that Pura Puseh is fully incorporated into that larger mountain temple complex. Prajuru Desa Adat member Bapak Wayan Adi adds that the name Gunung Mas Merenteng reflects the community’s long-held aspiration for prosperity, symbolized by gold. Ever since the complex was established, Pura Desa and Pura Puseh have maintained this side-by-side arrangement, forming a central focus for worship and social life in Bresela.
One of the Bale structures in Pura Desa. (Photo: Personal Collection)
Inside Pura Desa visitors find a series of pelinggih (shrine towers), each with a defined purpose. The Padmasana shrine honors God in the blended form of Ardanareswari. In festival season the Pengaruman provides a dwelling place for Ida Bhatara during odalan ceremonies. The Bale Agung once served as the central hall for sangkep or samua meetings, where villagers discussed adat matters and temple protocols. Linking Pura Desa to Pura Puseh, the Bale Pegat serves both as a passage and as the site of the shrine dedicated to Ida Bhatara Ratu Gede, offering a bridge between the two sanctuaries.
The Meru tower of Pura Puseh. (Photo: Personal Collection)
Pura Puseh holds its own set of sacred pelinggih, led by two Meru towers: one marks Pura Puseh itself, the other crowns the greater Pura Agung Gunung Mas Merenteng. Its Pengaruman shrine shelters the tapakan, or sacred effigy of Ida Bhatara, during shared odalan celebrations in both Puseh and the Gunung Mas Merenteng compound. Additional sanctuaries include Bale Ongkara, Limas, Taksu, Lepitan and several smaller shrines. Stepping into these temple grounds, worshippers are met by a serene spiritual ambiance that soothes the mind. Careful proportions and sculptural details honor deep philosophical and aesthetic principles, embodying the Tri Hita Karana teaching of harmony among people, nature and the divine.
The Meru Agung tower of Gunung Mas Merenteng. (Photo: Personal Collection)
The adat community in Bresela divides itself into two groups, known as Pengarep and Pengempian. Pengarep, known locally as Desa Gede, comprises those granted specific land parcels (karang pekarangan) by Desa Adat Bresela. Members of this faction serve as the primary pengempon, or caretakers, for both Pura Desa and Pura Puseh. The Pengempian group performs supporting roles, yet when major ceremonies approach the entire village rallies behind the temple work. Tasks such as preparing offerings, cleaning temple courtyards and coordinating rituals often fall to the Pengarep, but no festival proceeds without the cooperation of every family in the hamlet.
The annual piodalan of Pura Desa takes place on the day of Buddha Kliwon Dunggulan, spanning one to two days. Piodalan at Pura Puseh, which falls on Buddha Kliwon Ugu, can extend for up to three days. Festival length depends on the ritual’s scale: smaller offerings and rites often run two to three days, though medium or large ceremonies may last four days or more. Villagers invest hours in decorating courtyards, arranging canang and rehearsing musical accompaniment to honor the gods.
