Temples of Bali: Pura Sada – Kapal

The most important temple in the area of Kapal to the north of Denpasar is Pura Sada. The temple was destroyed by an earthquake in 1917 and it wasn’t until the 1950s that the original building was restored. The temple was in fact an old dynastic sanctuary for the Royal family of Mengwi and its origins are in the Majapahit period. Pura Sada is the oldest of the Mengwi state shrines and predates Pura Taman Ayun. Pura Sada is dedicated to the Hindu Trinity of Bhrahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

The Candi Bentar, or split gateway entrance to the temple, is constructed in a similar fashion of Javanese Candi’s, as is the 16 metre-high tower inside the temple courtyard. It is interesting to note that the only true remaining ancient remnants are the actual finely carved and decorated Candi Bentar, and the kala head. There are a few other stone sculptures in the same era. There are 54 stone seats in the temple grounds are commemorations to warriors who died in battle; each has an undecipherable inscription.