• Official name: Tirta Gangga water palace

  • Working hours: 7 – 19 hours

  • Recommended duration of visit: 1-2 hours

  • Foundation date: 1946

  • Size: three-level palace-water complex

  • Coordinates: -8.4120578, 115.5785982

  • Address: Tirta Gangga, Jalan Abang - Amlapura, Ababi, Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852, Indonesia

General informatio

One of the most attractive and popular attractions on the island of Bali is the Titra Gangga Water Palace, located in its easte part, namely in the Karangasem area. The Royal Water Palace is a majestic complex structure located on several levels at the foot of Mount Agung. The palace grounds are guarded by a huge statue of the Sacred Cow, which has special divine significance in Hinduism.

Palace complex includes:

  • main palace-temple;

  • several covered gazebos for relaxation, saving from heat or rain;

  • picturesque pools with dotted paths;

  • swimming ponds with sacred water to cleanse the soul and wash the body;

  • various fountains;

  • stone bridges and statues of Hindu Gods;

  • well-groomed alleys surrounded by lush gardens.

The name Tirta Gangga itself translates as “Sacred waters of the great river Ganga”. This suggests that Balinese believe in the divine power of water and consider it healing and protection from evil spirits and various adversities. Every day Hindu ceremonies take place here, the beauty of which attracts tourists from different parts of the world, so the Balinese purposefully organize ancient shows for tourists.

Structural features

The Bali landmark Tirta Gangga is a local shrine and is revered among local residents, so there are usually not very many tourists here, which allows you to calmly view all the statues and figures.

The palace complex has the following multi-level structure:

  • lower level – pools with statues (the world of demons and evil spirits);

  • middle level – baths and holy spring (human world);

  • upper level – residence of the king (world of the gods).

[caption align="aligncenter" width="748"]There are baths on the territory of the palace[/caption]

In one of the pools there is a beautifully constructed dotted path in the form of separate islands on which tourists are allowed to walk. The labyrinth path is located in such a way that its path covers almost the entire pool, which is very reminiscent of a children's game. Other bodies of water are reservoirs with beautiful fish and clean water. Most often they are fed bread, which can be bought at the entrance, and watch the riot of colors formed from bright fish. In addition, on the territory of the palace there are baths where you can perform a ritual of ablution and wash away all sins and illnesses. Before the ceremony, it is advisable to wear a sarong.

History of constructio

Tirta Gangga Palace was built in 1946 by the architect-king Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut, who ruled Karangasem at that time. The residence was originally built to fill the reservoirs with a large amount of water from springs to irrigate the rice fields that are located in the surrounding area. But the king was so carried away by the construction that he ended up with a beautiful complex, which was admired not only by the inhabitants of the island, but also by visiting guests.

Despite the fact that in 1963 there was a powerful eruption of Mount Agung and a series of earthquakes, which destroyed a significant part of the palace complex, today the residence has been completely restored and delights both Balinese and tourists with its majestic appearance.

Legends

Despite the fact that the Tirta Gangga Palace was built not so long ago, local residents still associate one legend with its appearance. People believe that King Anak Agung built a palace on the very spot where he discovered a sacred spring from the divine Ganges River located in India. The king had a sacred vision that the water in the spring comes from the sacred river of India, and he received a blessing to increase the amount of water from the Supreme God himself. Thus began the construction of the first reservoirs, which were quickly filled with water from the sacred spring. Thanks to the help of God himself in the construction of reservoirs, the water system is thought out to the smallest nuances. The spring still flows to this day, and many people come here just to be washed by its waters.

The dotted paths in one of the pools deserve special attention, since according to legend it is necessary to walk along them from the very begi

ing to the end in order to gain health and youth.

At the edge of one pool there is a huge statue of a wild boar with water pouring out of its mouth. This is the demon Rakshasa, who was dissatisfied with the fact that a divine place was being built, so God left him here forever in a stone image to guard the sacred waters.

How to quickly get to the attractio

Bali's picturesque landmark Tirta Gangga is located in the vicinity of Karangasem. The palace is located right in the middle of rice fields about 7 km from the town of Amlapura, but it is far from other attractions in Karangasem, so it is better to leave early to be back before sunset. Buses and minibuses run in this direction, so you can get to Tirta Gangga at any time.

On the territory of the palace complex there is a cozy restaurant where you can try the national cuisine of Bali or drink traditional coffee. Right at the entrance to the palace, where entrance tickets are sold, there are shops selling souvenirs and amulets.