Bali water palace. Which water palace to visit on Bali? Earthly world "Bwah"

Many tourists on the island of Bali are not even aware of the existence of this Tirta Ganga water palace. There is practically no information about him in Russian. Yes, no one is interested in this. But I am not a tourist, but a traveler, I never use Russian-language information.

When I was going from Kuta to the Amlapura area, I booked an overnight stay at the royal villa Tirta Ayu, which is located a stone's throw from the water palace. Tirta Ganga can literally be translated as “water of the Ganges”. Probably because Hinduism predominates on the island, which most of the inhabitants worship. But not everything that makes me personally happy.

Entrance to the royal water labyrinths was free for me, but at the entrance there was a sign about tickets for foreigners for 10,000 rupees, which was then about 30 of our rubles. Now there were acquaintances, they paid 15,000 rupees, at today’s exchange rate of rubles 90. But this is not the main thing. It’s difficult to get here on your own; if there is public transport, you won’t get it.

Immediately from the entrance you need to go through the traditional Balinese gate and go down. There are no railings or ramps. This attraction is not accessible to people with limited mobility, or simply those who are tired or elderly. There are no benches for relaxation on the territory, there are no fences around the pools, which are several levels. All the stairs between them also have no railings.

Here is a specific example in the photo. Another group of foreign tourists arrived, and they were all young and lean. The guides, kicking, quickly dragged the poor tourists along the first level of the pools, although the total territory of the water palace occupies more than a hectare. Running, all the foreigners rushed onto the buses and left for Puru Besakih, I guess.

Why should I rush, my royal villa was two steps behind a hedge of strange plants.

And all kinds of plants are generously planted here. I don’t even know the names of many of them. There are many flowers, and several varieties of orchids grow unpretentiously. Realistically, there is no need to go to the Balinese Botanical Garden and waste time there. There is a complete botanical set here.

The tourists ran away, stumbling on the uncomfortable steps, and the entire royal palace remained at my disposal for a photo shoot. The most interesting thing is to take a photo in the pool with a fountain. The test photo is ready.

I must say, I was lucky to be here at the right time, until the statues were restored and painted. Thus, I felt like I was in an ancient palace, surrounded by rice terraces and volcanoes on all sides.

But in fact, as it turned out, the last of the kings, named Karangasem, created such a landscape design for himself in 1948. Although, it’s strange, because Indonesian partisan troops on the island of Java drove away Dutch troops in 1949. And in Bali in Singaraja at that time there were Dutch.

But nothing was returned to the Dutch. And everything would be fine, yes, trouble does not come alone. In 1963, Mount Agung erupted and most of the water palace was destroyed. Ruins remained, which to this day have not all been restored.

If you wish, you can climb into the jungle. I didn’t meet any snakes, but I could have. Therefore, I quickly returned from there to cultural sites.

If you climb to the upper tiers, you can admire the lush vegetation that fantastically entwines the tall trees. New houses for spirits, altars and other attributes of religious ceremonies stand modestly in the shade.

In addition, from above there are beautiful views of the pools of the water palace. I was also lucky with the weather, so the bright blue sky was reflected in the water.

Then we had to descend carefully, slowly. The descent is inconvenient, but there are beautiful flowers around, which compensates for the inconvenience.

I examined the religious building in detail, and it turned out funny from two frames. At the top is a small figurine of Vishnu on Garuda. Below are two monsters with water flowing from their mouths. And the entire structure was overgrown with moss, very picturesque.

There is a small temple on site with a traditional heavenly gate.

Everything is so miniature and convenient. A remake, really. I saw such things being cut out in workshops along the roads with modern tools.

Of course, the center of the entire composition of water labyrinths is the largest bronze fountain with 11 levels. You can take pictures against it from different angles.

Around a pond with a fountain, mythical animals pour water. And there are many statues of rakshasas who guard the water, according to legend.

The sculptures are all creepy and ugly, as expected.

From a distance the sculptures do not seem so terrible, they are even beautiful.

Animal figures look cuter, such as a sacred cow.

The reservoir on the territory of the water palace is filled with spring waters. As far as I know, a whole water supply system runs through the Tirta Ganga water palace, which branches into the lower pools with carp.

The water then flows to the town of Amlapura and cascades down to the nearby rice terraces.

It’s a good idea to combine a visit to the water palace with a trip to the rice terraces. I did just that, looked at the terraces, the monkeys, then returned to spend the night in the palace.

On the territory of the water palace, the reservoirs are made of different shapes, which looks unusual, adds mystery and creates the impression of ancient objects.

There are also shaped bridges in the palace, which make for very interesting photographs.

Through the bridge you can get to the central reservoirs with fountains.

This bridge, which is most convenient for movement, was probably designed by another architect.

On one side there are female figurines of rakshasas, they are called rakshasis.

There are many figures of mythical creatures in the pools; you can look at them for a long time, but this takes time.

And here is a small bronze fountain that looks especially impressive in the evening.

The water palace looks very beautiful in the sunset.

It’s good to walk around the deserted water palace in the evening, before it gets dark.

Closer to night the views are generally fantastic. But there is no special lighting at night.

In the evening there is a beautiful view across the ponds to the royal villa and restaurant.

On the island of Bali, this object is perhaps the most beautiful. I think the Tirta Ganga water palace is worth a visit. There are no beggars on site here.

Any driver can become a guide; you do not need to come here with a group.

Today we will show you two water palaces in Bali - Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung. Although in our understanding, these are more likely parks with ponds, but that’s what it sounds like! Water Palace!

💧💧💧Water plays an important role in many cultures, and in Hinduism a special role is played by the sacred river Ganga - the heavenly river that descended to earth and became the Ganges River. The name of the first palace we went to sounds like “Tirtaganga” and translates as “waters of the Ganges”

Tirtaganga

Entrance fee = 30,000 rupees

Opening hours: 7.00 – 18.00

Video filming, drone filming = 500,000 rupees

So, what do we see when entering Tirtaganga?

A very small area, several ponds with fish, one fountain, picturesque tiny bridges and evenly trimmed bushes. Everything is blooming and pleasing to the eye. The park looks a little European with its smooth lawns. Although there are statues of mythological characters and palm trees, it does not feel like you are in Asia. This assessment has both a plus and a minus, because despite the modest size and all the charm of this place, I personally did not see any authenticity.

Tirtaganga was built in 1946 by the last ruler of the Karangasem kingdom.

🐠 The main joy for tourists here comes from feeding numerous eternally hungry goldfish, and there are so many of them here! They pounce on the food, jumping out of the water with their mouths open greedily. It’s understandable, the individuals are so large, you wonder how old they are? Or the tourists just fed them up =) I read that they bought carp specially from Japan, and they can reach a meter in length and live quite a long time.

The small but amazingly beautiful Tirtagangga Water Palace and the adjacent park are definitely worth a visit for anyone planning a trip to Bali. In this place, you can miraculously combine a serene rest in the shade of trees near the water with an acquaintance with the basics of the religious beliefs of the Balinese.

The Tirtaganga Water Palace was built during the reign of the last Raja of Karangasem Anak Agung Angluraha Ketut in 1946-48. The complex covers an area of ​​about 1.2 hectares, in different parts of which there are several extremely attractive swimming pools and artificial ponds.

A little history

The idea of ​​​​building a new country house and park took possession of the Raj after his visit to Europe and a visit to the Versailles Palace and Park. Upon returning to Bali, he took an active part in the development of the project andin the subsequent embodiment of the unusual idea of ​​Tirtaganga.

During its short history, the water palace suffered several times from the violence of the elements. In 1963, during an eruption, part of the park was burned by a lava flow, and in 1979, the Raja's palace was destroyed by an earthquake. After these shocks, the complex was restored during the reconstruction of 2002-2003.

The palace and park ensemble is located on three levels, each of which symbolizes one of the worlds of Balinese mythology: the refuge of demons, the world of people and the sphere of the gods. This is an amazing labyrinth of alleys and paths winding between lakes, fountains and ponds, along which graceful figures of gods and frightening demons are placed.

All the fountains and reservoirs of the garden and park ensemble are fed by a spring that comes to the surface at the roots of the mighty banyan tree. For more than 300 years, its water has been considered holy and is used in all kinds of religious ceremonies during holidays. According to legend, this is part of the flow of the sacred Indian river Ganges, which explains the name of this picturesque place. Translated from Balinese, “tirtaganga” means the divine moisture of the Ganges River.

Nether world "Bhur"

One of the most interesting places in the lower part of the park where you can take impressive photos is the water labyrinth. It consists of individual octagonal stone slabs protruding slightly above the water level in the pond. You should not walk along it any way you like, but only in a strictly defined order, after which you can find the desired health and many benefits of the material world. In the same reservoir, several dozen stone figures of guardian demons armed with clubs are installed on low pedestals.

The symbol of Tirtaganga is the water tower located on the first level of the park. This ten-meter structure with 11 tiers symbolizes Mount Meru, sacred to Hindus. It is crowned with a stone lotus from which a stream of water flows. Pleasant wind-blown mist brings welcome coolness on a hot sunny day. The central fountain is surrounded by numerous figures of Hindu gods.

From the tower, through a pipeline system, water flows to the upper level and pours into the pool through the mouth of the demon Rakshasa, who has taken the form of a boar. This creature was specially created by Brahma to conserve water, so its “presence” here is simply necessary. Subsequently, all the water from the pools, ponds and fountains is used to supply water to the city of Amlapura and irrigate nearby rice fields.

Earthly world "Bwah"

At the middle level of the park there are two large rectangular ponds. Park visitors can swim freely in one of these ponds after paying a small fee. Its bottom has variable depth, so it is convenient for both adults and small children to enter the water.

Opposite banks of the Big Pond with an area of ​​100 m 2 in the southern part of the complex, two light decorative bridges, decorated with intricate figures and dragons, connect. Swimming in it is prohibited, as it is used for breeding golden carp.

Each of the palaces you mentioned is unique in its own way, and it would be wrong to say that any of them are better or worse. If you do not like large crowds of tourists, then it is better to go to the Tirta Ganga temple, since not all travelers know about it and all the temple attractions can be seen without unnecessary crowds. The palace is located in Karangasem district, eight kilometers from the ancient city of Amlapura. Its name literally translates as “holy water from the Ganges,” but many tourists leave without really understanding what this river has to do with it.

The architectural ensemble of this palace is a real architectural labyrinth, consisting of bridges, fountains, pools, alleys, paths, various figures, statues of demons.

The total area of ​​the water gardens is 1.2 hectares. On the lower level there is a fish pool, a fountain, and several sculptures; on the middle level there are baths located in a holy spring, and on the upper level there is the Raja's residence with four guest bungalows and a number of domestic buildings. Some tourists are delighted with what they see and decide to stay overnight to fully enjoy all this beauty.

In fact, if you look closely at this complex, you can see that it is thought out to the smallest detail. Water from a natural source is collected in a large reservoir and then divided into two parts. The first part is used as drinking water for the neighboring city of Amlapura, while the second reaches the uppermost basin through an underground pipe. Excess water flows into a swimming pool located one level below, and from there into rice fields and small fish ponds. The lower level here is called the world of demons, the middle – the world of people, and the upper – the world of gods.

As a result of the eruption of Mount Agung, which occurred in 1963, the complex was slightly damaged, but over time it was completely restored and nothing reminds of that incident. The beautiful nature surrounded by the complex deserves special attention (the rice terraces look the most beautiful). Anyone can swim in the local baths for an additional fee, and many tourists do not deny themselves such pleasure, especially since there are many legends around these baths. One of them says that one who bathes in the sacred waters of Tirta Ganga during the full moon will gain eternal youth and beauty. How true this legend is is unknown, but there are plenty of people who want to test it for themselves.

Also, if you are lucky, you can witness various religious rites and ceremonies in which water from the source is mandatory. You can visit this place daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the entrance ticket costs about three dollars (swimming in the sacred spring costs extra).

The incredibly beautiful Tirta Ganga water palace is located in the east of Bali, literally a few kilometers from Amlapur. Its entire territory is a real labyrinth, which includes many ponds and fountains. A wonderful addition to all this are the magnificent statues of mythical creatures. The palace belongs to the royal family of Karangasem and is an important cultural site on the island.

The entire territory of the palace covers an area of ​​1.2 hectares. When you enter Tirta Ganda, you get the feeling of a different reality, it seems as if you are in ancient times. The name of the palace comes from two words: “Tirta” is translated as holy water and “Ganga” is the name of the main water artery of India.

The entire territory of the palace is divided into three levels, each of which depicts completely different worlds.

1. Bhur - it depicts the world of Demons, which are surrounded on all sides by a magnificent garden. The level is given a touch of perfection by a huge pond across which a bridge with images of demons is built. But they didn’t limit themselves to just one pond. During your walk, you will see a whole system of reservoirs and fountains of different sizes, each of which has decorative fish swimming. In addition, there is a water tower on this level.
2. Bhar is dedicated to the human world. This is where the baths are located, where you can swim for an additional fee (10 thousand rupees). There is a legend that the baths were built on the site of a holy spring.
3. Matchmaker is the highest level, which is dedicated to the gods. This is where the residence of the Raja is located. On the matchmaker there is a place for meditation, surrounded on all sides by gods.

As you walk around the palace grounds, you will notice that there are various statues everywhere. Some of them represent gods, others demons. But each of them is dedicated to the Hindu epic “Ramayana”. The very first level is decorated with the Nava Sanga fountain, which is the central element in the garden. It consists of ten tiers and is surrounded by many Balinese creatures.

The entire territory of the palace is equipped with a water supply system. Pipes are laid underground to circulate water. The water source is a spring; initially the water accumulates on the first level. After this, it is divided into two parts and distributed throughout the Tirta Ganga.

It is said that the palace was built on the site of a sacred spring, from which water seeped out at the foot of a banyan tree. This source exists to this day, and a small temple was erected near it.

It's no secret that fresh water in Bali is worth its weight in gold. All water reserves of the palace are used rationally. Excess water falls to the middle level, and from there it is distributed among the fish pools. To avoid stagnation, water constantly flows into the rice fields in the surrounding area.

Small ponds are home to golden carp, also known as koi. They were brought here from Japan.

On the largest reservoir there is a path along which tourists like to walk.

History of creation

The construction of the palace dates back to the middle of the last century. Despite its rather young age, the attraction has historical status. The initiator of the construction was Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem. He was so amazed by the beauty of the local nature that he decided to create a magnificent structure, the waters of which could be rationally used.

The creation of the project began in 1948. In general, this is the first time in history when the king himself takes an active part in construction. For the monarch, building and designing a palace was a favorite pastime. He himself often visited construction sites among ordinary workers, for which he received even greater respect and love from his people.

In 1963, Mount Agung erupted in Bali. Several earthquakes and lava eruptions caused serious damage. Almost all the vegetation in the palace was destroyed, and the foundations of many buildings were damaged. There was also some vandalism at this time. Many valuables and household items were stolen from the palace.

A few months after the last eruption, the king finally fell into the Tirta Ganga. He was shocked, because after natural disasters and robbery, the palace remained in a ruined state. There were no funds to restore the former luxury, and 3 years later he died and created the project himself.

Reconstruction work to restore the landmark began only in 1979. Donated funds were used for them. Larger-scale work has been underway since 1990, but even to this day the palace is considered not to be fully restored.

Opening hours and ticket prices

The doors of the palace are open from 8 am to 6 pm. The cost of an adult ticket will cost you 35 thousand rupees, for a child - 15 thousand. If you arrive with your own transport, be prepared to pay for parking as well. Parking for a bike is 3 thousand rupees, for a car - 5 thousand. In addition, it is better to have a small supply of money with you. Since during the walk you may have a desire to swim in the baths, and for this you will need to pay extra (10 thousand rupees).

It is best to visit the palace in the morning, so you still have the opportunity to see other attractions in the surrounding area. Considering that the road to Tirta Ganga from the south of Bali is not the closest, you can come here in advance and stay in a hotel. There are also several cozy bungalows within the palace.

How to get there?

When going to Tirta Ganga, head towards the Besakih temple complex, as these two sites are located relatively close to each other. The distance between the palace and Kuta is about 30 kilometers, but given the endless traffic jams in Bali, you need to be prepared for the journey to take at least an hour.

You can get to the palace by rented transport or taxi. Regular buses do not go in this direction. In addition, you can book an excursion to the east of Bali, during which you will get to know this attraction. You can book such an excursion.

If you still decide to go to Tirta Ganga on your own, then it is better to use a navigator. He will tell you the exact location of the palace. There is a car park in front of the entrance, so you won’t have any problems leaving your vehicle.

Tirta Ganga Palace on the map

On this map I marked the exact location of this water palace.

When going to the Tirta Ganga water palace, do not forget to take a swimsuit with you. After all, as I already noted, there are baths on its territory where you can swim on a hot day. You may also need bread to feed your golden carp.