Bali Kerta Gosa
Bali Kerta Gosa: An Ancient Justice Court Building from the Klungkung Kingdom Era.
Bali Kerta Gosa, situated in Klungkung Regency, served as an ancient justice court palace during the Klungkung Kingdom era. This significant cultural heritage site, part of the Semarapura Palace complex, was constructed around 1686 by Ida I Dewa Agung Jambe, the first holder of the Klungkung throne. Its original purpose was to be a place for deliberations concerning the security, justice, and prosperity of the kingdom, functioning much like a modern-day court. Even during the colonial era (1908-1942), Kerta Gosa continued to serve as a courthouse.
The Kerta Gosa complex, a legacy from the Klungkung Kingdom (1686-1908), encompasses several other structures, including the beautiful Bale Kambang, which is situated in the middle of a pond known as Taman Gili, and the Royal Gate. The Klungkung Museum, with its European architectural style, can also be found on the west side of the complex, formerly a Dutch school.
The name 'Kerta Gosa' is derived from Sanskrit: 'Kertha' meaning good, noble, safe, peaceful, happy, and prosperous, and 'Gosita' meaning to be called, announced, or broadcast. Thus, Kerta Gosa signifies a place dedicated to achieving peace and prosperity through deliberation on security and justice.
A key feature of Kerta Gosa is its two main buildings: Kerta Gosa Bale and Bale Kambang. Bale Kambang is uniquely surrounded by the Gili Park pond. Both bales are renowned for their ceilings, which are adorned with exquisite traditional Kamasan-style puppet paintings. These intricate artworks, initially made of cloth and parba, were restored in 1930 and 1960. The paintings depict a series of stories, primarily from Swargarokanaparwa and Bima Swarga, illustrating Karma Phala (the consequences of good and bad deeds) and the concept of reincarnation, serving as a powerful educational tool for mental and spiritual development. Other themes include Tantri Story, Bagawan Kasyapa, Palalindon (meaning of earthquakes), and descriptions of Nirwana. The Bale Kambang's ceiling features themes from Kakawin Ramayana and Sutasoma, related to the Manusa Yadnya tooth-filing ceremonies for royal children.
Beyond its architectural beauty, Kerta Gosa holds profound cultural heritage value. The Pemedal Court, located to the west, showcases traditional Balinese architecture and served as the gate for the Dewa Agung's power for over two centuries. The site also bears witness to the tragic Puputan Klungkung war on April 28, 1908, where the last throne holder, Dewa Agung Jambe, and his followers fell. Today, Kerta Gosa, Bale Kambang, Taman Gili, and the Palace Portal remain as compelling objects for tourism and cultural-historical study, offering a unique glimpse into the judicial process and history of the Klungkung kingdom.