Tirta Gangga Water Palace Bali tour call +6287862331691
Bali tour guide , Bali tour package , Tirta Gangga Bali driver
Tirtagangga, meaning holy water of the Ganges in Balinese, is one of the world's romantic gardens out of time. Gushing springs flowing from beneath an ancient Banyan tree and holy temple fill the myriad reflecting and swimming pools that grace the Water Palace.
The location of Tirta Gangga water palace is just 30 minutes drive from the center of Amlapura city , the eastern city of Bali . 2 hours drive from Denpasar , the capital city of Bali .
Story
The gardens of the Bali water palace in Tirtagangga were designed and constructed in 1948 by Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem (1887 – 1966), who was the last Raja (King) of Karangasem. He was a remarkable man to say the least, not only because he was the architect of the water gardens, but also because he helped with the construction of the gardens. A lot of people were astonished to find the Raja amidst his lower class laborers, working knee deep in the mud digging out the pools and ponds. The gardens of this Bali water palace show a unique mix of Balinese and Chinese architecture. The grounds of the water garden (ca 1.2 ha.) consists of three separate complexes each with ponds and many sculptures. The complex on the lowest level has two large ponds and a water tower. At the second complex (middle level) of the Bali water palace are the swimming pools. The third level houses the main complex with the country home of the former Raja. Nowadays one can find a restaurant and four bungalow units (which are for rent) in this former country home of Raja A.A. Anglurah Ketut Karangasem. A reservoir on the grounds receives the springwater and from this reservoir drinking water is delivered via a pipe system to the town of Amlapura. There is also an underground pipe system which leads to the upper swimming pool, where it emerges through the mouth of a raksasa (a demon statue) which stands at a corner of the pool. Here the water flows over into a lower level pool. From this lower level pool it flows into some small fish ponds and from there into the rice fields that border the gardens.
The water of Tirtagangga has always been regarded as holy and is regularly used for religious temple ceremonies. With important celebration days Tirtagangga is the destination of colourful processions with offerings, umbrellas, flags and other tributes. Led by the local temple priests, ceremonies are held at the spring, accompanied by chanting and the music of the ‘Beleganjur’, a gamelan gong group of small gongs with each musician striking a specific, different note on the musical scale, all blending in harmony. Tirta Gangga has become the most visited site in the eastern part of Bali as a part of East Bali tour program Entrance fee is 20.000 / person
