Royal water temple Pura Taman Ayun. Bali. Royal Water Temple Pura Taman Ayun Why Taman Ayun Temple is interesting

Southeast Asia is an attractive region for tourists. There is amazing nature and landscapes here, unique life of local peoples, its own unusual history, and there are simply countless religious buildings. Bali is called the “island of a thousand temples”, and the Taman Ayun Temple is its most important temple.

What is interesting about the Taman Ayun Temple?

The most sacred place here is the courtyard of the complex, where the active Hindu temple of Shiva is located. All the buildings in the courtyard are decorated with intricate carvings. The gate to the courtyard is always closed: visitors are prohibited from entering here. They only open for important religious holidays in Bali, such as Oladan.

The pagodas that symbolize Mahamera rise above the courtyard. For Hindus it is sacred because... symbolizes the axis of the whole world and the Universe standing at the very center. Also, the souls of dead people and the highest deity allegedly live on the mountain. The height of the pagodas is 29 m.

In the temple park, in the middle of a rectangular pond with lotuses, there is a symbolic fountain: 1 main jet shoots upward, and 8 others - in the direction of the 8 cardinal directions. The jets of the fountain symbolize the main gods of Dewa Nawa Sanga - Balinese Hinduism. Pilgrims hopefully throw coins at him, believing that this will make their wish come true. There are exotic plants and mythological statues, gazebos and ladders here.

How to get to the temple?

The most convenient way to get to Taman Ayun is by. From the island's capital Bali, head northeast. The distance to the temple is about 20 km. You can also take the public intercity bus to Mengwi.

Many tourists visit the Taman Ayun Temple as part of an organized tour. You can enter the complex from 9:00 to 18:00. A ticket for an adult costs approximately $1, for a child – $0.5.

Pura Taman Ayun (or Taman Ayun Temple) is a royal temple in Bali, 17 km from the island's capital Denpasar and 8 km from Ubud. The temple is located near the village of Mengwi - in connection with this, it is also called Taman Ayun Mengwi Temple. Its name can be translated from Indonesian as “beautiful garden.”

Taman Ayun is the second largest temple after Besakih Temple. It is also worth noting that the temple area is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, thanks to the canal irrigation system of the Subak rice fields (you can read about this system and how rice is grown on the island on the Bali Rice Terraces page.

I will tell you about the history of the Taman Ayun Temple and its features. You will find out why this place is interesting and how to get there. I will also tell you what places you can visit near the temple, and at the end of the page I will give some useful tips for visiting this attraction.

Description of the temple and its territory

Taman Ayun is a Hindu temple with unique Balinese architecture. It is 100 meters long, 25 0 meters wide and is located at an altitude of 180-240 meters above sea level. The complex consists of one external and three internal courtyards. Each is surrounded by stone walls and has different facades.

The first thing that catches your eye when you see the temple is that it is surrounded by a pool with lotus flowers around its perimeter. Thus, you can only get inside through a bridge that goes through a gate (candi bentar, or chandi bentar). This gate resembles a mountain that has been divided into two even parts. Both sides represent the Balinese concept of duality and the importance of maintaining a balance between dark and light forces.

The temple area is divided into three courtyards:

Jaba Pura (Jaba Pura)
Jaba Tengah
Jaba Jero

I'll tell you about each of them.

Jaba Pura

In the center of the park there is a pond, which is surrounded by a variety of flowers (Plumeria, Magnolia, Kananga) and fruit trees such as mangosteen, durian, rambutan and mango.

It is also worth paying attention to the tall fountain in the center of the park. 9 water jets run from it: one is directed towards the center, and eight in different directions of the world. This design symbolizes Dewa Nawa Sanga (translated as 9 gods) - Vishnu, Shambha, Ishvara, Maheshvara, Brahma, Rudra, Mahadeva, Surya and Shiva.

Jaba Tengah

This courtyard symbolizes the boundary between the worlds of gods and people.

Here you can see:

The 8-meter bell tower of Bale-Kulkul, which offers views of the entire complex. It is made of wood, includes two wooden square bells and is decorated with figures of deities made of stone. Bale Kulkul is used when it is necessary to gather all the inhabitants, and also to announce the death of someone.
Pavilion Bale-Lodzhi. It was here that priests and ceremonial ministers prepared for holidays and rituals. Currently, the pavilion employs artists from whom you can purchase works.
Bale Pengubengan Pavilion, decorated with patterns depicting 9 Hindu deities guarding the nine cardinal directions.
Manus Yadnia Museum, founded in 1979. He talks in detail about the life process of Balinese Hindus - from the tomb to the tomb.

Jaba Jero

This is the most sacred place in the temple - the world of the gods. The entire courtyard is surrounded by a small stone wall, and the main gate is only open during Balinese religious holidays and ceremonies, such as Odalan. At the eastern end there is another entrance for everyday use. Inside the third courtyard, many meru towers were built - 29-meter high family shrines. These towers symbolize Mount Mahameru, which is considered the center of all physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes.

Different meru may be dedicated to different gods, and sometimes even to individual people or local mountains. Towers have 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11 levels. These numbers are considered sacred. Also inside the temple there are many stone structures and sculptures that are dedicated to Hindu gods.

Now I will tell you about the history of Taman Ayun Temple.

History of the temple

The temple was built in 1634 by order of the Raja (title given to rulers) of the Mengwi kingdom named I Gusti Agung Putu.

Sometimes the temple is called "royal" or "Pura Kawi ten" (meaning family temple). Indeed, in the old days, members of the royal family came here to pray to their ancestors, who were revered as gods.

The architecture of the temple was done by a friend of the king (Chinese by birth), which is reflected in the appearance of some of the structures. Taman Ayun retained its status as the largest building in the kingdom until the end of the 11th century.

Throughout the existence of the temple, the royal family treated it very carefully and took care of its appearance. But during the war with the ruler of Badung in 1890, they had to flee to the east. In this regard, no one looked after the Taman Ayun temple for a long time.

In 1911, when half of the royal family returned to Mengwi, the temple began to be gradually restored. But on Saturday, January 21, 1917, a very strong earthquake struck the country, so many of the buildings collapsed and were damaged.

The temple has undergone a number of restoration works since the earthquake due to the eruption of Mount Batur and Mount Agung (1963).

The professor of Indonesian history, Henk Schulte Nordholt, mentioned this in his book (The Balinese Dynasty: Hierarchy and Conflict in Negara Mengwi 1700-1940). He devoted his work to the study of Southeast Asia, modern politics in Indonesia and the history of the political system on the island of Bali.

The most extensive restoration was carried out in 1937. In 1949, work was carried out in the large hall of the temple. The third reconstruction was carried out in 1972, and the final one in 1976.

Despite many restoration works, the temple today gives the impression of an ancient, centuries-old building. This is partly due to the fact that in the humid climate, the walls of all buildings quickly faded and became covered with moss.

How to get to the temple

Since it is impossible to get to Taman Ay un Temple by public transport, I advise you to rent a car. From the capital of the island, Denpasar, the drive to the temple is about 1 7 km (approximately 40 minutes).

Below is a detailed route from Denpasar:

Leave the city north on Jl. Seti a Budi, which turns into Jl. Cokroaminoto.
At the roundabout, continue straight on Jl. Cokroaminoto.
Next turn right onto Jl. Raya Lukluk – Sempidi, follow it straight, then smoothly turn onto Jl. Raya Denpasar – Gilimanuk and continue along it for 3.7 km.
Turn right onto Gg. Walmiki/Jl. Raya Denpasar - Gilimanuk.
When Jl. Raya Denpasar – Gilimanuk will move to Jl. I Gusti Ngurah Rai, make a slight left onto Jl. I. Gusti Ngurah Rai-Mengwi (by signs at Singaraja/Terminal Penumpang/Bedugul).
Continue on Jl. I Gusti Ngurah Rai 1.3 km.
Turn left onto Jl. Ganda Mayu, then right onto Jl. I. Gusti Ketut Jelantik, and again to the right - to Jl. Rama.
Continue straight on Jl. Ayodya, and on the right you will see Taman Ayun Temple.

Distance to the temple from other popular tourist cities:

Nusa Dua: 40 km (1 h 20 min)
Kuta: 25 km (1 h 00 min)
Seminyak: 55 km (1 h 50 min)
Sanur: 20 km (50 min)
Ubud: 20 km (45 min)
Singaraja: 63 km (2 hours 00 minutes)

Pura Taman Ayun, or Taman Ayun Temple on the map

1km 5km 10km 25km 50km 75km 100km 150km 200km 300km

No categories found

No results found in this location. Please try again.

I'm planning a route......

Attractions nearby

When planning a trip to Taman Ayun, I advise you to visit other equally interesting places.

Here's what you can see nearby.

Near the market in Kapal village you will find the beautifully decorated Pura Sada Temple. This is the sanctuary of the Mengwi royal family and dates back to the Majapahit era (1293 - 1520). According to legend, a long time ago in Govan (Mainland China) there was a kingdom called Pura Sada. It is believed that the name of the temple is associated with it.

On the territory there is a 16-meter tower, as well as 64 stone shrines, which are a feature of this temple and were erected in tribute to the memory of fallen soldiers.

Address: Jl. Soka No.8, Kapal, Meng wi
The visit is free, you can come at any time during the day

This is a monkey forest located in the Sange countryside, an hour's drive from the city of Denpasar.

Taman Ayun Temple (Indonesia) - description, history, location. Exact address and website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.

Last minute tours Worldwide

Previous photo Next photo

Visitors to this temple complex can admire stunning traditional architecture as well as a large landscaped garden with lotus flowers and fish ponds. The temple was built in 1634 by the then ruler of Mengwi, and the influence of Chinese architecture was quite evident in the appearance of the structure. In 1937, a large-scale restoration of Taman-Ayun was carried out, which also affected the appearance of the temple. One way or another, the most noticeable architectural features of the complex remain the characteristic towers, symbolizing the respect of the Mengwi people for their noble ancestors. So for the village of Taman-Ayun this is the “mother temple”.

Even though the condition of the reservoirs bears little resemblance to what they were in the days of their splendor, it is still very pleasant to walk around the temple complex. The moss-covered walls and jade water give it a slightly rural charm.

The name "Taman-Ayun" translates as "beautiful garden". And this is true: the spacious round pools were once a place for the royal family to relax.

The name "Taman-Ayun" translates as "beautiful garden." And this is true. Spacious round pools were once a place for the royal family to relax: girls from the palace swam in small boats.

The temple complex consists of four separate areas on three terraces, one higher than the other. The first, “jaba,” can be reached through a single entrance, passing by the ponds. Inside, not far from the entrance, there is a small protective shrine, and to the right of it is a large common hall where community meetings take place. This area also contains a tall and beautiful fountain.

In the next courtyard, on a higher terrace, you can see a small temple called Luhuring Purnama. To get to the second and third terraces from the first, you need to pass the second gate and pass the pavilion called Bale Pengubengan, decorated with ornaments in which you can see nine Hindu deities guarding the nine parts of the world. In the eastern part of this courtyard there is the Dalem Bekak Church, and in the west there is an eight-meter wooden bell tower, which the locals call “Bale Kulkul”. Climbing onto it, you will admire two square wooden bells, and at the same time a view of the entire complex.

Types of the temple

To the north of the bell tower there is a pavilion called Bale Logi. In former times, clergy and masters of ceremonies prepared here for the holidays. Today, artists work in the pavilion, and you can buy their creations right there.

Directly across the road from the temple is the Manus Yadniya Museum, where you can learn more about the rituals of the Balinese branch of Hinduism and the rites that accompany the Balinese throughout their lives.

The fourth and last courtyard is considered the most sacred and is located above the rest. It is called Utama Mandala. The charmingly patterned central gate is only open during ceremonies to allow initiates to pass through. Another gate, for everyday use, is at the eastern end of the courtyard, in which several pointed towers of varying sizes rise into the sky.

The three terraces of the temple correspond to the three cosmological levels known in the Balinese branch of Hinduism: the world of people, the abode of deities and the highest sacred level. According to the ancient Adhiparva texts, the entire Taman-Ayun complex represents Mount Mahameru in the “sea of foamed milk”, that is, in the formation of the world in the cosmic sense.

In Taman Aayun, every 210 days the same holiday is celebrated as in the Uluwatu temple in the south - Kliwon Medangsia Tuesday. On this anniversary, many pilgrims can be seen flocking to the complex day and night.

Practical information

Address: Mengwi village.

The temple is located in Badung District, 17 km northwest of Denpasar. You can get here along the main road north of the city; Once in the village of Mengwi, you will not miss the temple.

Opening hours: 9:00 - 16:00.

Admission: 20,000 IDR for adults.

Prices on the page are as of September 2018.

Taman Ayun (Taman Ayun) translated from Indonesian sounds like “Beautiful Garden”. This translation fully reflects the content of the temple complex and the area around it, where the tranquility and privacy of the temple is combined with the amazingly beautiful garden around the temple.

Taman Ayun is located in the city of Mengwi north of Denpasar. Taman Ayun was built in 1634 and is one of the significant temples on the island. Entrance to the park.

Taman Ayun is surrounded by deep water channels and can only be reached via a bridge guarded by 2 guards.

There is a fountain in the park from which 9 jets shoot out, directed towards 8 cardinal directions and a central stream shoots up. They symbolize the main gods of Balinese Hinduism - Dewa Nawa Sanga. There is a belief that if you throw a coin into the fountain, your wish will come true.

The park is surrounded by an intricate concrete fence.

Just a statue in the park.

The courtyard of Taman Ayuna is the most sacred place - it is a working Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. All courtyard structures are built in the best Balinese traditions and decorated with original carvings. Visitors are prohibited from entering the courtyard. The closed gates are proof of this.

You can climb the high observation tower located in the park and explore the surrounding area.

View of the courtyard.

The many pagodas towering over the temple courtyard are a distinctive feature of Taman Ayun Temple. The pagodas symbolize Mount Mahamera, sacred to Hindus, which is the axis of the whole world and stands at the very center of the Universe. The highest deity and the souls of the dead live on this mountain.

The courtyard can be walked around from all sides, everything is perfectly visible.

View from a different angle.

Fans of ancient temples will be interested in visiting this temple complex.

Reference

Pura Taman Ayun is located in the town of Mengwi north of Denpasar.
The entrance ticket costs Rp 15,000.
The temple is open to visitors during daylight hours, i.e. from 9.00 to 18.00

The name of the temple Taman Ayun literally means "beautiful garden". It is deservedly considered one of the most attractive monuments in Bali. Taman Ayun is located in a picturesque park and is surrounded by old trees and ponds.

Construction of the Pura Taman Ayun Temple began in 1634 on the initiative of Raja Mengwi. It is sometimes called the family temple because the deified ancestors of the Mengwi royal dynasty, as well as the central deities of the Balinese religion, are venerated and worshiped here.

There are wide canals on all sides of the temple, so you can only get into it via a bridge passing through a richly decorated gate. Directly from the gate to the courtyard there is a well-trodden path that runs through a landscaped park with a square pond, in the center of which is a fountain consisting of 9 jets. Four jets of the fountain are located in the cardinal directions (North, West, South, East), four more - in the direction of the North-West, North-East, South-West and South-East and one central jet. Their original arrangement symbolizes Dewa Nawa Sanga - the 9 main gods of the Balinese pantheon.

Ulun Danu Temple

On the shores of Lake Bratan, in the northern part of the island of Bali, there has been a temple called Ulun Danu for several centuries. The temple was built to honor the power of the lake water, which is said to be sacred and nourish not only people, but also plants and animals.

Ulun Danu Temple is a whole ensemble of religious buildings dedicated to the goddess Dewi Danu. The exterior of the temple is extremely impressive. Some of the buildings were built on small islands, and it seems that the multi-tiered pagodas grew straight out of the calm water of the lake. Buildings are reflected on the water surface, as if in a mirror. And all this is surrounded by blue majestic mountains and lush greenery of the tropical forest - a place unique in beauty and harmony. The local landscapes are especially attractive for those who are interested in photography.

The territory of the temple complex is very cozy, elegant and well-groomed. To get to the temple, you need to cross a special wooden bridge. Residents of Bali and pilgrims actively visit the Ulun Danu Temple. They perform religious rites and ceremonies here, addressing the goddess Devi Danu. Above the lake you can often see clouds of incense, which believers burn in order to earn the favor of the goddess - the fertility of the land and the well-being of local residents depend on her.

Besakih Temple Complex

The Besakih temple complex is located at an altitude of 1 km above sea level, so sometimes its upper parts are literally buried in the clouds floating above Mount Agung. This temple is called the "Mother of Temples", it has extraordinary beauty and is a model for all religious buildings in Bali.

The complex was built more than a thousand years ago. The territory on which it is spread covers 3 kilometers, and the complex includes more than 20 temples, each with its own name and purpose. The forces of all the kingdoms of the island were sent to create Pura Besakih. Until now, the “Temple of the Mother” continues to serve believers.

Central to this complex is the temple of Pura Pentaran Agung, surrounded by small crypts in which there are tombs decorated with flowers and colorful fabrics.

In addition to the temples, the complex contains a large number of statues of various demons and deities. There is a path around the walls of the temple that leads to the rest of the temple courtyards. If you want to look at religious rituals, then you should try to look into the second courtyard. In fact, only Hindus are allowed into the territory. But at the main entrance you can meet a Balinese who is ready to take guests inside the complex for a small fee.

Temple complex Pura Ulan Danu

The architectural complex of Pura Ulan Danu is considered the main water temple on the island of Bali. Mainly, this temple personifies the life-giving power of the lake, because its waters are the main basis for the fertility of all border areas and provide opportunities for the development of agriculture. The lake on which the temple stands is dedicated to Devi Danu, a goddess who is one of the incarnations of the supreme deity, to whom prayers were addressed for prosperity and well-being.

The main feature of this area is the large number of volcanoes. The temples were located right at their feet, so they were often destroyed. For many years, work was carried out to restore the Batur Temple, which was completed in 2004. It is known for its vast and beautiful courtyards with black gravel paths. One of the temples is Kubutambanah, built in honor of the Mother - the earth and the sun, who give life.

The most picturesque panorama opens up from here, and the air coming from the neighboring mountains is surprisingly fresh, and all this attracts large crowds of tourists.

Brahmavihara Arama Temple

Brahmavihara Arama is the largest and almost the only Buddhist temple in Bali. It was built in 1969 and began to function fully in 1973.

The complex of buildings is designed in a traditional Buddhist style: orange roofs, bright and varied interior decor, golden Buddha statues, a lot of greenery and flowers. The elusive charm of the temple is added by the typically Balinese carvings that decorate the walls of the buildings. Other signs of Balinese Hinduism are the scary nagas that decorate the entrance and the bell-shaped architectural decorations. They are made of dark stone and look very original.

From time to time, special meditation retreats are held here. But it is not forbidden to do this yourself; entry is open to everyone.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple is located at the extreme point of the Bukit Peninsula in southwest Bali. This Hindu temple is located at an altitude of 80 meters.

Despite the fact that as an architectural structure this temple does not amaze with any special luxury and splendor, the views from here are absolutely beautiful. Uluwatu Temple was founded in the 11th century by the Balinese saint Mpu Kuturana, and in the 15th century the legendary saint Nirartha lived here.

In memory of Saint Nirartha, a three-tiered pagoda was erected at the very edge of the cliff. Legend has it that it was installed exactly in the place where the great saint achieved nirvana during meditation. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, only representatives of the royal dynasty could pray in the Uluwatu Temple, but later access was open to all believers. Now you can not go inside the temple at any time - tourists are prohibited from entering here during religious ceremonies. The forest surrounding the Uluwatu Temple is home to many monkeys, which are looked after by temple servants. Tourists are also allowed to feed these sacred animals.

Penataran Agung Temple

Penataran Agung Temple is located on Mount Gunung Agung, on the island of Bali. It was built in the 11th century and is the main temple of the whole complex of Besakih temples; the most important Hindu ceremonies and rituals are held here.

Around this pyramidal sanctuary of Shiva are numerous small family crypts, and the temple itself is crowned with a colossal statue of Geruda, under which is the throne of the main deity Trimurti with seats for Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu.

Tourists can only move around the territory of the temple complex, and in the Penataran Agung temple, as in other sanctuaries, outsiders can buy gifts for their loved ones or have a snack after a walk. Every traveler needs to know that in Bali it is customary to make a symbolic donation upon entering the temple complex.

Maospahit Temple

Maospahit Temple is the oldest temple in Denpasar, Bali. It traces its history back to the Majapahit Empire, between the 13th and 15th centuries. The style of architecture of the temple reflects the development of this art form at that time. The name comes from the name of one of the Balinese deities.

Although the temple is not open to the public, it can be admired from the outside to fully appreciate the marvelous architecture. It should be noted that at the moment there are some deviations from the original. The gates, for example, are not the same as they were before, they have been changed over time. The earthquakes at the beginning of the twentieth century also had negative consequences. In fact, now you can only see part of the temple, which has remained unchanged for six hundred years.

Tanah Lot Temple

Legend has it that in the 15th century, the temple was founded by the Hindu priest Dang Hyang Nirartha, who noticed a radiant light on the cliff. The light came from a sacred source of fresh water that gushed out of the rock. Nirartha stopped at this place for the night, and in the morning he began to tell the local priest about the sacred significance of the place, but in response he received a request to leave. Nirartha left, advising the fishermen to build a temple around the spring, since he was sure that this place was best suited for serving the sea gods. A few years later, Tanah Lot appeared, who protected the inhabitants of the island from various misfortunes. The legend also says that before leaving, Nirartha moved the rock on which he was meditating into the sea, and also left sea serpents to guard the place from uninvited guests.

Almost until the beginning of the twentieth century, the temple stood on a cape, but the constant work of the sea turned this cape into a small island, which can only be reached at low tide. A specially installed staircase leads here. At sunset, Tanah Lot looks incredibly beautiful - its majestic shadow is picturesquely reflected in the sea water.

Pura Pentaran Sasih Temple

The Pura Pentaran Sasih Temple was built in the 13th century. This is one of the royal temples of Pejeng and also one of the main Balinese shrines.

The temple gained such high significance thanks to the famous bronze drum “Luna Pejenga”, which is the largest in the world. Its length is 1.86 meters and its diameter is 1.6 meters. To look at this treasure up close, you need to wear a special fabric that men wear during religious ceremonies - a sarong and saput. The gong is on a pedestal 4 meters high. If you look closely, you can see an eight-pointed star or a sun with eight rays, which is a distinctive feature of the Dong Son style. The handles are engraved with images of human faces. Many Balinese believe that this ancient gong was once an earring and belonged to the moon goddess Dewi Ratih.

In addition, in Pejeng you can visit the archaeological museum located opposite the Puri Kebo Edan Temple, half a kilometer from the Pura Penataran Sasih Temple.

Pura Tirtha Temple

Pura Tirta Empul (Holy Water Temple) is located in the village of Tampaksiring on the island of Bali (Indonesia). This temple was built around a spring that, according to ancient legend, was created by the warrior god Indra; its water is believed to have healing properties.

Pura Tirta Empul is located just 20 kilometers north of Pedjeng. The reason for the appearance of the temple on this site was the holy springs. Their healing properties were discovered in 962, as evidenced by the inscription on the temple, and since then believers have come here for ablutions.

A characteristic feature of the temple is a large rectangular stone pool, filled with water from a holy spring through twelve fountains. When performing the cleansing ritual, you need to stand under each stream in turn. The water comes from a source - so it is always clean and cold. The atmosphere here is quite relaxed and calm. For more than a thousand years, residents of Bali and tourists have come to this source for cleansing, enlightenment, and cure diseases.

Temple complex Taman Ayun

The Taman Ayun temple complex is the largest Hindu temple located on the island of Bali, Indonesia, near the village of Mengwi. The temple is rightfully considered the most beautiful and interesting place on the island.

Taman Ayun (which means “beautiful garden”) was built in 1634, and for a long time was the largest religious building of the Mengwi kingdom, which previously existed on the territory of modern Indonesia.