JAKARTA (indo.com): The Indonesian government has reportedly proposed to UNESCO that Mount Kawi in East Java, Pura Besakih in Bali, Sawah Berundak Jatiluwih, Pura Taman Ayun (also in Bali) and a traditional house Buwomataluwo in Nias all be included as members of the World Cultural Heritage List.

"To date, Indonesia has three national cultural conservation structures that have been included on the World Heritage List, namely Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple and Sangiran Archaeological Site," Minister of Culture and Tourism I Gede Ardika said in a hearing with the House of Representatives recently.

Last year the government proposed several sites as members of the World Cultural Heritage, including Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi. It has so far received tentative number 1.038 C. "In 2001, five more tourism designated spots will be proposed," he said.

With tourism designated spots included as members of the World Cultural Heritage, Indonesia would like to demonstrate that the country pays adequate heed to cultural conservation endeavors. Indonesia, the minister said, has the intention of becoming a member of The International Center for Conservation of Cultural Property (ICROM), one of the three advisory boards of the World Heritage Committee.

"By becoming a member of the ICROM, Indonesia's proposals for various sites to be included on the World Cultural Heritage List will receive an immediate response, in addition to technical assistance on conservation and restoration," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

A brief overview of the proposed tourism-designated spots is as follows:

Kawi Mountain
Mount Kawi is a hill thirty-five kilometers west of Malang, East Java, and is much visited by pilgrims. Legend has it that the hermits Eyang Jugo and Eyang Imam Sujono, once lived here. Their graves are found in the area of Wonosari Hill, on the slopes of Mount Kawi. Pilgrims consider these graves to be sacred. The path leading towards Eyang Jugo's grave is crammed with stalls selling everything from food to sandals.

Manggis spring is found not far from the Kawi Mountain complex. There is another spring, called Urip, which according believers can cure certain diseases.

Pura Besakih
Bali's "mother temple" - the largest and holiest temple in Bali - is over 900 metres up the slopes of Gunung Agung. It has been regarded as a holy place in Bali since pre-historic times. The first recorded mention of its existence is from an inscription that dates from 1007 A.D. Since the Gelgel dynasty of the fifteenth century, it has been regarded as a central, holy temple for the entire island.

All the allegiances of the Balinese people come together at Besakih. Each regency has its own temple within the over-all compound, as do each of the caste groups. There are a total of 18 separate sanctuaries. The three main temples are: Pura Penataran Agung, dedicated to Sang Hyang Widi Wasa, Pura Kiduling Kreteg, dedicated to Brahma, and Pura Batu Madeg, dedicated to Wisnu. To the Balinese, a visit to the temple sanctuaries at Besakih is a special pilgrimage. Each temple has its own odalan, or anniversary celebration, and on the full moon of the Balinese month "Kedasa" the entire compound of Besakih celebrates the visit of the gods, with an enormous throng of visiting pilgrims.

Taman Ayun Temple
This temple is located in Mengwi, 16 kilometers northwest of Denpasar. The elegant Pura Taman Ayun is the second largest temple complex on Bali, and one of the island's most beautiful shrines. This trim, impressive garden complex lies only one-half km east of the main highway (turn in at the market), accessible by a long walkway. According to Babad Mengwi, the original structure was built by I Gusti Agung Sakti on 1634, the King of Mengwi at that time. It is partly surrounded by a wide moat with lotuses, which gives the impression the temple is floating. Restored and enlarged in 1937, today Pura Taman Ayun is looked after by descendants of the royal family. It has well-kept gardens and an orchid nursery.

Jati Luwih
Located some 48 km from Denpasar, and about 28 km to the north of Tabanan, Jati Luwih has a gorgeous panorama, with rolling rice terraces and thick forest filled mountains as its backdrop. Jati Luwih has clean, cool and fresh air. Historically, Jati Luwih witnessed the construction of a temple dedicated to the power of the King Ida Dalem Waturenggong in Gelgel Palace (1460-1551). Travellers can witness unique religious attractions held once every 210 days on Wali, Petoyan, Patirtan, and Rabu Kliwon Ugu Day in the Balinese calendar, with sacred Wali Pendet Dance performed at the peak of the event.