3D Digitalization of Besakih Architectural Heritage: Documentation and Preservation

Abstract

To be a tourist destination, an area must have three indicators: nature, culture and characteristics of its society. Bali is a tourist area that is more known due to its enchantment rather than those three indicators. Of the heritages of Bali culture well known by the enchantment is Pura - Balinese Temple. In Bali, Pura is an important component in which Bali for this is also known as a thousand-temple island as in most of each house, village, intersection, and irrigation spot, a Pura has been built. Bali has nine large Pura called as Pura Kahyangan Jagat, protecting the island from the evil spirit. Of those nine Pura is Pura Besakih - the largest Pura in Bali and becoming the tourist destination for many foreign and domestic tourists. It is one of Pura located in the slope of Mount Agung. This mount is included in the Pacific range of Ring of Fire and erupted in 1821 (but no record on this). The activity of this mount was continued in 1843 erupting again with a number of earthquakes. This eruption also produced the volcanic ash, sand and pumices. In 1963 it erupted and made a more severe damage. With those facts, the existence of Pura is found vulnerable with the natural damages. Viewed as Huluning Jagat Bali, Pura Besakih is considered a very holy and sacred place. Each of the ornaments in it is a symbol that has a meaningful and deep philosophy. However, what has been occurred with Pura Besakih as the Huluning Jagat Bali if the natural disaster has made damage? To what extent the existing books about Pura Besakih can describe the existence of Pura Besakih as the Huluning Jagat Bali? It therefore requires preservation of cultural heritage architecture of Besakih by making a 3-dimension digital documentation. This is deemed important to be done to record the genuine form and the detail size of Pura Besakih to make it enjoyable and learnt by the generation in future. The design of 3-dimension object will be made in conformity with the original form, size and texture with the purpose not only used as a preservation media but also as a media of promotion towards the cultural heritage and tourism in Indonesia particularly Bali.