Four km south of Tabanan in Kediri is the site of one of Bali's largest cattle markets. Amid a din of human and animal sounds and pungent smells, game cocks, potbellied swine, lumbering oxen, squealing geese, squawking ducks, and soft golden-brown cattle are sold and traded. Other equally animated and exciting cattle markets are held in Bringkit near Kapal and Bebandem near Tirtagangga.

In Kediri's 'puri' is a particularly honored historical relic, the magic 'kris' of the Javanese priest Nirantha. Known as Jaramenara, this holy object was left with the village headman as a token of Nirantha's gratitude just before the saint went off to Ulu Watu and his final transcendence. Every Kuningan festival the 'kris' is removed and washed in a special ceremony.

Getting There

All Ubung (Denpasar)-Gilimanuk 'bemo' pass through Kediri (30 minutes). The town's 'bemo' terminal is at the junction where the road branches right for Tabanan and Gilimanuk and left for Tanah Lot (12 km to the southwest).