Kertha Gosa Pavilion, Historical pavilion in Semarapura, Indonesia
The Kertha Gosa Pavilion is a covered structure forming part of Klungkung Palace in Semarapura, notable for its fully painted ceilings. The overhead surfaces display detailed scenes from Hindu epics and religious narratives that span the entire interior.
The pavilion was built in 1686 by I Dewa Agung Jambe as the judicial center of Klungkung Kingdom, where legal disputes were heard and decided. It continued to operate as a working court even after colonial authorities took control.
The ceiling paintings follow the Kamasan style, where colors and figures represent deeper meanings rooted in Hindu and Balinese traditions. These images served as a way to teach moral lessons to those who stood in this space.
The pavilion is accessible during daylight hours, and you can best appreciate the painted surfaces by moving around the space to view them from different angles. Visiting in early morning provides better light for examining the detailed artwork and fewer people around.
During court proceedings, specially decorated chairs were positioned with each bearing a distinct animal symbol that showed the rank of whoever sat there. Lions marked the king's seat, cattle indicated the priests' area, and dragons identified where administrative officials worked.
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