Water Palace. Which water palace to visit in Bali? Pura Besakih is a magnificent temple complex at the foot of Mount Agung and the main religious building of Bali, the so-called "Mother of Temples"

Each of the palaces you mentioned is unique in its own way and it would be wrong to say that one of them is better or worse. If you do not like a large crowd of tourists, then it is better to go to the Tirta Ganga temple, since not all travelers know about it and all temple sights can be seen without unnecessary pandemonium. The palace is located in the 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 ​​water gardens is 1.2 hectares. On the lower level there is a pool with fish, a fountain, several sculptures; on the middle level there are baths located in the holy spring, and on the upper level there is the residence of the raja with four guest bungalows and a number of household buildings. Some tourists are delighted with what they see and decide to stay overnight in order 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 accumulates 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 one enters the uppermost pool through an underground pipe. Excess water flows into a swimming pool located one level below, and from there to rice fields and small fish ponds. The lower level is called the world of demons, the middle one is the world of people, and the upper one is the world of gods.

As a result of the Agung volcano eruption, 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 surrounding the complex deserves special attention (rice terraces look the most beautiful). Everyone 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 the Tirta Ganga during the full moon will gain eternal youth and beauty. It is not known how true this legend is, but there are plenty of people who want to test it on themselves.

Also, if you are lucky, you can witness various religious rites and ceremonies, in which water from the source is used without fail. You can visit this place daily from 6 am to 6 pm, the entrance ticket costs about three dollars (bathing in the sacred spring is paid extra).

Hello friends! We are in Bali, which means we continue to talk about this wonderful island with its Balinese culture, fantastic natural landscapes and unusually kind people!

In past articles, I already somehow talked about the main thing, and about the ancient, very first one, which reminded me so much of Peterhof.

It was then that I promised that I would tell you about another palace of the last raja of the Principality of Karangasem, well, the time has come 🙂

So in this article we will talk about the water palace of Tirta Gangga, striking in its grace and splendor, with fountains, ponds, bridges and picturesque alleys with statues. In the end, I will give a recommendation with what you can combine a visit to this park so that the trip is the most saturated with impressions.

Well, here we are in the palace!

Although, in appearance, Tirta Ganga looks like a historical monument, but as ancient as it might seem at first glance, the park and the palace are not at all. The complex was built less than 70 years ago in 1946, by the same king with the long name Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut, he built himself the first palace, Taman Ujung.

It’s not that the first royal residence was not to their liking, it’s just that kings have hobbies)) The Balinese had a passion for construction, design, he even went to Holland to study architectural skills 🙂

And the fact that the palace of Tirta Ganga looks like an ancient relic is due to the special atmosphere and climate in Bali. Here, even ordinary stone houses, gates and statues are covered with soft green moss in a few months, which gives the impression that they belong to the great ancient heritage.

In 1963, as a result of the eruption of the Agung volcano, the complex was slightly damaged, but to everyone's joy it was completely skillfully restored.

The name Tirta Ganga can be translated as follows: Tirta - holy or divine water, but. So, there is a belief that the water here comes from the sacred Indian river. By the way, we saw the Ganges in India, the water in it is, to put it mildly, dirty, especially in places of cremation, but here the water is clear, clean with carps. A holy spring gushing from under the roots of the sacred Banyan tree, this water is used in ceremonies and festive rites.

The territory of the Tirta Ganga complex (more than one hectare), is surrounded by greenery and built up with baths, pools and ponds

Each level has its own symbols: the top is the world of the gods, then in the middle is the world of people and the lowest is the world of demons.

Palace on the water Tirta Ganga is an amazing labyrinth of pools, fountains and bridges, in a beautiful green garden with many paths, one of the alleys is decorated not only with graceful statues, but also


in human height


the most unusual path and not a path at all is a sequence of pebbles in a pond


In which fat golden carps swim, by the way, you can feed them,


And some, it seems, even catch them


perhaps this is the favorite entertainment of the locals 🙂 Not everyone can sit in the shade under a tree


Although the view from there is definitely worth it. Along the circumference of the central fountain, symbolizing the highest god - statues of Hindu gods

Guys, and not only)) In general, all tourists have fun walking along the ponds, jumping from pebble to pebble


It is better to look under your feet, otherwise you can inadvertently step on a carp))


These guys offered to teach me how to catch carp with my hands))


In general, we liked the Tirta Ganga water complex, here you can swim in plenty in the springs and walk along the paths,


admire the interesting finds of the architect


You can even look into the jaws of a demon


And if this is not enough, then you can finally refresh yourself in a restaurant, and even stay here for the night. The complex has four bungalows Tirta Ganga Tirta Ayu Homestay & Restaurant, by the way, the descendants of Raja Anak Agung Anglurah Ketuta himself manage the hotel.
And here you can see hotels in the vicinity.
There are numerous rice terraces around the Tirta Ganga complex, despite the fact that there are enough rice fields, we did not miss the opportunity to take a walk here.
At the same time, they walked around the palace, and along the path leading up into the forest, they climbed to look at the complex from a high

Helpful information:

• A ticket to the Tirta Ganga complex costs 15,000 rupees, parking for a bike is 1,000 rupees.
• Bathing in a pool of holy water - also 15,000 rupees
• The complex is open until 6 pm.

At the entrance, local grannies sell snacks


And so you won't go hungry :)

Tirta Ganga Palace is located away from the main tourist sites, if you go from Bukit, it makes sense to leave early. And if you have already got to these parts, it will be logical to visit other interesting places nearby:

If you have enough time or decide to spend the night in a bungalow from the Raja or at the nearest resort in Chandidas, then I recommend that you get to the rice fields, of which there are a lot


or, for example, visit Lempuyang Temple (Pura Lempuyang), it is located about 10 km east of Tirta Ganga on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang of the same name


It is not very popular among tourists, although it plays an important role in Balinese culture and religion. The complex is huge and very beautiful, and how many mysterious legends are associated with it, I won’t go into details today, this “Temple of Heaven” clearly deserves a separate article


If you are going here, it is better to come at dawn, firstly, avoid fatigue in the sun, because in order to climb to the highest temple, you need to overcome 1700 steps through the jungle, and secondly, the views from above are simply breathtaking, but closer to lunch on the mountain fog - this mountain, as well as the majestic Agung holds clouds, and clouds hang over the valley, visibility is noticeably worse ..


Well, if you want to diversify your trip to the temples

The Tirtaganga Water Palace (Taman Tirta Gang ga) is an architectural complex built in Bali by the last king of the Karangasem district. It is located in the eastern part of the island, near the city of Amlapur (70 kilometers from Denpasar).

On this page you will find a detailed description of the Tir Taganga Palace, as well as learn how to get to it and what to see nearby. In addition, I will give some useful tips for visiting this attraction.

The palace complex was built in 1942-1946 by the ruler of the province of Karangasem (Karangasem), his name was Anak Agung Anglur ah Ketut. This is a rare case in history when a politician of this level was directly involved in the construction of his residence. Raja Ketut was known for his passion for architecture. There is a legend that the Raja was inspired to build the complex by a trip to France, to Versailles. It is unlikely that the palace on the water has something in common with Versailles, but the first thing that catches your eye here is the abundance of details that you want to consider.

The name of the palace consists of two words: Tirta - which can be translated as "sacred water" - and Gang ga, which corresponds to the name of the sacred river Ganges in India. But the water palace has nothing to do with India. The fact is that the Ganges is closely connected with the Hindu religion. According to legend, this river used to flow in heaven, but then was lowered to earth with the help of the god Shiva. Thus, the name of the palace can be translated as "the sacred waters of the Ganges".

By the way, you can also find another name - Tirtagangg a Water Palace. It was invented later - in order to make it easier for English-speaking tourists to navigate.

The Water Palace is an architectural ensemble with elements of Balinese and Chinese design. Tirtagangga looks like a bizarre labyrinth of ponds, fountains, bridges and alleys with dozens of statues of animals and demons, traditional for the local culture. The whole composition of the palace is framed in a lush green garden.

Description of the palace grounds

Despite the relatively small area of ​​the garden (1.2 hectares) and a very young age for a historical landmark, Tir Taganga has the feeling of an ancient city or an abandoned civilization. The reason for this is the special climate, due to which all buildings are covered with noble moss in a short time.

The territory of the palace consists of three levels, each of which personifies different worlds:

1. The lower level is Bhur; this is the demon world.
   They even built a garden for them. It is surrounded by a large pond with a bridge adorned with sculptures of demons. There is also a whole system of ponds and fountains in which fish swim. There is also a water tower on the first level.
2. Intermediate level - Bwah. It symbolizes the human world. Baths are located here; according to legend, they were built on a holy spring. For a fee (10,000 rupees) you can swim in them.
3. The upper level is Swah, that is, the world of the gods, and at the same time the residence of the Raja. Here is a place for meditation, surrounded by three gods (Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma), as well as demons led by Rangda.

There are many statues throughout the garden. They symbolize the gods and demons from the Hindu epic - Ramayana. The centerpiece of the garden is the Nava Sanga Fountain on the lower level. Its name can be translated as "divine guardian". The fountain consists of 10 tiers and symbolizes the supreme god (Sang Hyang Vidi), surrounded by statues of Balinese deities.

The complex consists of a complex water supply system. Underground pipes are used to circulate water. Initially, water comes here from a spring and is collected in a large reservoir on the lower level. Then it is divided into two parts: the first supplies the city of Amlapura through special channels, and the second goes into the highest pool from the mouth of the statue of the demon Rakshasa (Raksasa) in the form of a boar. According to Hindu legends, this man-eating demon was created by Brahma to guard the water.

It is believed that the palace was built on the site of a holy spring gushing at the foot of the Banyan tree. This place is called Embukan, which can be translated as a spring. The source still exists today. Next to it is a small temple, to which the Balinese daily bring offerings.

The locals are very sensitive to water - after all, there are only a few fresh sources on the island. It would seem that building a water palace is very wasteful. However, the water here is used more than rationally: its excess flows into the swimming pools at the middle level, and from there, in turn, into small ponds with fish. But that's not all: fish need regular water changes, so from here it flows to the surrounding rice fields.

By the way, the fish in the local ponds are unusual - these are golden Koi carps brought here from Japan. Their sizes can reach 90 centimeters. At first glance, they look like huge goldfish. Interestingly, the cost of each such carp can reach $20,000.

On the central reservoir there is a path made of separate stone slabs, along which tourists like to walk. The depth of the reservoir in some places exceeds one meter. Opposite the path is a stone cow with water flowing from its mouth.

There is a belief among local women: if you walk in a certain order along the stones of the water path, you can find health, longevity and the most desirable thing - beauty. There is another legend that those who bathe on the full moon in the sacred waters of Tir Taganga are granted eternal youth. It is quite difficult to check this, at least because at night the water palace is closed to the public.

Tirtagangga is more popular with locals than tourists, but even lively groups of tourists do not disturb the peaceful atmosphere, here you can relax and enjoy the scenery. Until now, the waters of Tir Taganga are considered holy, so Balinese colorful and exotic religious rituals are not uncommon here.

Looking at the moss-covered stone buildings, one might think that this palace is more than one century old. In fact, this is not so: not only was it built a little more than a century ago, besides, during its short history, Tir Taganga experienced a serious restoration - after it suffered from the eruption of the Agung volcano in 1963. This year it was destroyed a huge number of houses and temples. The restoration of the water palace began immediately after the eruption, but soon the financial situation in Bali deteriorated greatly, and the reconstruction was completed only at the end of the 20th century.

How to get to the palace

Tirtaganga is located quite far from the tourist centers - 8 km from the city of Amlapur. From the southern resorts, it will take about 60-90 km to reach it.

Perama buses run from public transport to the palace. Tickets are booked at least one day in advance and cost about 200,000 rupees. But, since tourists do not often go to the Amlapur region, there are no daily flights, and the specific cost must be checked with the company representatives.

But it is better to go to the palace by taxi or rented transport. The journey takes about 2 hours. Since the road from all the southern resorts passes through Denpasar, I will give you a detailed route just from Denpasar.

So, here is the best way to travel from the resort area.

1. Leave the city towards the Jl. Prof. Dr. Ida Bag us Mantra (to the east).
2. Follow this road for about 40 km to the city of Candidasa. Before entering, you will see a stone gate with the inscription Obyek Wisata Candidasa.
3. After passing the gate, move on and do not turn off the main road. After 3 km, a winding highway begins, along which you will arrive at the village of Bugbug (Desa Bug bug). It needs to go through.
4. Drive for about 500 meters until you see a road sign indicating the direction to the village of Bungaya (Desa Bungaya). Turn left at the crossroads. If you go straight, you will have to make a big detour through Amlapura (Amlap ura).
5. After the turn, go straight for another 2.5 km. The path will pass through the villages of Adat and Asak (Desa Adat and Desa Asak).
6. Drive to the junction with Jl. Salak, and on it turn right. After 2 kilometers you will find yourself in Amlapur.
7. Drive to the intersection with Jl. KH Samanhudi, turn right on it, and after 170 meters turn left onto Jl. Nenas.
8. After 1.5 km turn right onto Jl. veteran. It's a wide highway and you'll notice it right away.
9. Follow the road straight ahead for about 1.2 km until you reach a T-junction. Turn left on it and go forward.
10. After 500 meters the main road will go to the right. Continue to move along it without turning anywhere - and after 3 kilometers you will find yourself in place.
11. There is parking 100 meters from the entrance to the palace. A prominent sign hangs next to it - Taman Wisata Tirta Gangg a Parkir. You can park here or drive to the entrance to the complex - there are also parking spaces.

Tirtaganga Water Palace (Taman Tirta Gangga) on the map

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What to see nearby

The eastern part of Bali is not the most popular area for tourists. But, nevertheless, there is where to go.

• Taman Ujung
  This is the second water palace in Bali and is almost 10 times bigger than Tirtagangga. It was built by the same Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut, but Ujung was designed for business meetings of the Raja. If you are going to visit both palaces, you need to plan a trip for the whole day.
• City of Amlapur
  This is one of the oldest cities on the island, as well as the former capital of the kingdom of Karangasem, founded in the 17th century. During the Dutch colonization, the inhabitants of Amlapura did not resist the invaders, which made it possible to preserve the architectural appearance of the city. Walking along the local streets, you will see not only buildings in the traditional Balinese style, but also European buildings of the colonial era.
• rice terraces
  Tirtagangga is the only large source of fresh water in this region. Therefore, rice fields are everywhere around it. Unlike the famous terraces of Jatiluwi or Tegallalang, these look much more modest and do not attract such a huge number of tourists. But on the other hand, it is much quieter here and you can watch the work of the peasants.

In Karangasem district, Bali province. The name literally translates as "holy water from the Ganges". Strictly speaking, it refers to the water palace built in 1946 by the King of Karangasem, although today it is used in relation to the territory, which includes not only the palace, but also the surrounding picturesque rural areas.

The palace is surrounded by greenery, statues, pools, fountains are everywhere. King Karangasem, inspired by the beauty of these places, decided to build a palace and irrigation facilities to supply water to the rice fields. He received an architectural education in the Netherlands, so he was personally involved in the design and construction process.

The eruption of Mount Agung in 1963 severely damaged buildings, and ash and lava destroyed almost all vegetation. Much of what was built was destroyed, and vandals looted valuable things. In 1966, the king died without having restored the palace. Restoration work began in 1979, took on a large-scale character in 1990 and is still ongoing.

In the sculptural ensemble of Tirtaganga, the foundations of the world outlook in Hinduism are hidden: it lies on three levels, the lower one is the world of demons, the middle one is the world of people, the upper one is the world of gods. The middle world was symbolized by the statues of people at the fountain in the central part of the complex, the lower one was a labyrinth with sculptures of animals and spirits, the highest single god was the fountain itself.

For a fee, you can swim in the pool with holy water.

How to get to Tirtagangga Palace in Bali

Tirtagangga water palace near Amlapura is 8 km via Jl. Abang-Amlapura. Besakih Temple is 30 km away. From the southern resorts of Bali, you will have to overcome at least 70 km: for such a trip, it will be more convenient and more profitable to rent a car.

Video: Taman Tirta Gangga

Pond in Tirtaganga on Google Maps panoramas

What can you see in Bali if you want to plunge into the unusual mystical atmosphere of this magical island?

Strange question when I got to Paradise - everything is like in a fairy tale, especially if you came here during the rainy season: lush vegetation, bright tropical flowers and juicy fruits, stormy waterfalls and terraces of rice fields under a clear mirror of water ...

On a note!We deliberately went to Bali during the rainy season and did not fail, we flew from Thailand, I tell you why.

• Firstly, thanks to New Year's discounts on Air Asia flights, a flight from Bangkok to Bali cost ridiculous money (thanks to Asian low-cost airlines!). And it turned out to be only 4 hours to fly, so it is beneficial to combine these two countries, so you will save on a tedious and expensive flight from Europe to Asia.
• Secondly, since January 10, prices for hotels in Bali (even very steep ones) are falling by 50-70%, which is important for a very expensive island of the Gods.
• Third, a tropical downpour is by no means continuous rain! We were lucky, the weather did not interfere with the journey and contemplation of the beauties of the paradise island. The rain softly and delicately rustled the rice field in front of the hotel only at night. He only pleasantly lulled after a day full of impressions, and in the morning the bright sun and clear sky again called us on the road ... and so all 16 days of travel.

You can talk about Bali for a very long time, it is not for nothing that it is calledthe realm of spirits and demons, the island of the Gods and thousands of temples.

Two words that come to my mind when I think of Bali are mysticism and creativity, these concepts are inextricably linked here.

How can it be? Ride and understand! The many-sided Bali is especially impressive for people who are creative and love harmony: the island gently captures you with magnificent nature, elegance of architecture and amazing creativity of local craftsmen.

Just imagine the constant creative excitement from the fact that beauty is on every corner and harmony in every flower, and the door to an ordinary house is the gate to Paradise, where figures of mystical creatures are around the corner, while the days are filled with holidays and beautiful ceremonies.

Here, stone houses, gates and statues are covered with soft green moss in a few months, which gives the impression that they belong to the great ancient heritage.

And OPP!!!… The trap closes and you are forever in the magical captivity of this wonderful place. But don't worry, it's a pleasant captivity!

I was especially impressed water palaces and temples of Bali.

Let's take a trip together? OK! then a little history...

Both water palaces are located in the east of the island and were built by the same person - Anak Agung Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, he is also the last king (raja) of Karangasem. An architect and teacher by training, he built a lot of interesting buildings, wrote many philosophical and religious books, hymns and poems in Indonesian and Balinese.

The first on our way from Sanur city (where we stayed at the beginning of our journey) was water palace Taman Ujung.

Water Palace Udjung Taman (Water Palace Udjung)

Taman Ujung Water Palace(if completely, then Puri Taman Soekasada Ujung Karangsem Water Palace) is considered one of the most beautiful structures created on the island of Bali. The King of Karangasem began its construction in 1919. The palace was built in a mixed Balinese-European style in just two years with the help of Dutch architects and local workers.

It is interesting that the palace itself was founded on a very original place: earlier there was a moat with water to punish sorcerers accused of practicing black magic (mysticism, mysticism!)

In 1921, the water palace Taman Ujung was opened and received the official name "Soekasada Udjung", which means "Palace on the water Ujung". The eruption of Mount Agung in 1963 and the earthquake in 1976 practically destroyed this man-made miracle. For a long time, Taman Ujung was abandoned, but fortunately, from 2001 to 2003, with the financial assistance of the World Bank, the wonderful palace and water park were completely restored and now appear before visitors almost in their original form and splendor.

Beauty starts right from the entrance.

Sometimes Taman Ujung is called "Balinese Peterhof". Why? Probably, a regular park with gazebos, a royal palace, manicured lawns, statues and asphalt paths leads to this comparison.

Divine scent of plumeria (plumeria) is in the air and immerses you in a fairy tale! Plumeria or Frangipani as it is called in Bali is a sweet and fragrant symbol of Asia, named after an Italian nobleman who created a perfume using this amazing plant. In the flowers of this tree, the aroma of citrus fruits is combined with the smell of gardenias, jasmine and spices ...

True, there are no fountains in the park, but there are large artificial lakes. They are interconnected by a system of bridges, and the Summer Royal Palace is located in the center of the architectural composition. Modest and tasteful!

The water surface and lotus flowers ... It is impossible to take your eyes off!

Pavilions, numerous bridges, ponds and paths beckon to walk along them ...

The King's Summer Palace has been restored. It's small but very cute!

This is the royal bedroom. Pretty modest, right?

These two bridges connect the Summer Palace with the park.

The park is multi-tiered, the views from the highest point are downright mesmerizing, and from the gazebo at the very top, an additional bonus is a view of the ocean.

View of the Water Palace, park and mountains.

• Where is it located and ticket prices: Taman Udjung Water Palace is located in the east of Bali, a few kilometers from the city of Amplapur. Entrance fee, ticket price 20.000 Indonesian rupiah per adult. Parking for a bike / car is also paid.
• Time: The complex is open until 6 pm. The territory of the water palace is small and 1-1.5 hours is enough to see all the sights.
• ON A NOTE! About transport: we hired a car with a driver for the whole day right at the hotel. This is convenient because there is simply no public transport in Bali and it is useless to rely on buses or minibuses. We developed our own tourist route and visited everything that was interesting to us in a day. Renting a car or bike is also possible.

After admiring the lakes, bridges and canals of Taman Ujung, we jumped into an air-conditioned car (oh happiness at +35!) and drove on.

The picturesque road meandered among the emerald terraces of rice fields and local villages. Tropical landscapes fascinated with their unreality.

On the way we stopped for lunch at a small restaurant in traditional Balinese style with a very beautiful view of the rice fields.

Delicious lunch, mango fresh and beauty around, what else is needed for happiness?!

Tirta Gangga Water Palace)

We didn't drive long, and here we are at the palace. What to say? The spectacle is impressive!

But first, a little history...

Although in appearance Tirta Ganga Water Palace looks like a historical monument, but the park and the palace are not so ancient at all. The complex was built in 1942 by the same king with the long name Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut, who built Taman Ujung. It’s not that the first royal residence was not to their liking, it’s just that kings also have hobbies (I wrote about him earlier), and besides his passion for architecture and art, the king was also a traveler - “our friend”!

After his next trip to France and contemplation of the magnificent Versailles there, the king decided to build something similar in his native land. So, let's look at the Asian interpretation of the creation of the famous Andre Le Nôtre ... In my opinion, nothing in common, but also very impressive!

The king did not choose the place by chance - the wonderful landscapes of the island and the holy water from the source made this palace truly unique. In addition, the king had a noble goal: he decided to create a recreational facility for his people so that there would always be water in the fields for growing rice, because this is bread for the Balinese!

The king personally participated in the design and construction of the palace complex. In 1963, as a result of the eruption of the Agung volcano, the complex was slightly damaged, but fortunately, it was completely restored.

Tirta Ganga means "sacred water of the Ganges" in Sanskrit. By the way, the water from the source of Tirta Ganga is considered sacred and is used in ceremonies and various religious rites.

The architectural ensemble of the water palace is an amazing labyrinth of pools, fountains and bridges and lakes.

All these water facilities are located in a beautiful green garden with many paths and alleys and are decorated not only with graceful statues, but also with figures of demons (well, they love mysticism in Bali!)

Oleanders, bougainvilleas, hibiscus, palms of various kinds and other tropical plants give the impression of a Garden of Eden.

The area of ​​water gardens is approximately 1.2 hectares and consists of three levels: lower– pools with fish, a fountain and sculptures, middle with several baths in the holy spring and top with the Raja's residence, a local temple and 4 guest bungalows. You can stay at Tirta Ayu Homestay & Restaurant Bungalow. The hotel is run by the descendants of Raja Anak Agung Anglurah Ketuta.

The entire water system of the palace complex is thought out to the smallest detail. The water flowing from the spring is collected in a large reservoir, which is divided into two parts. The first part is used as drinking water for the town of Amlapura, while the second part goes into an underground pipe that goes into the uppermost pool through the mouth of the statue of Demon Raxas in the form of a boar.

Excess water flows down into the swimming pool at a lower level, from there into small fish ponds, and only then into the rice fields.

Let's go through all the levels and enjoy the beautiful views and original architectural forms.

Lower level - "World of demons and spirits"

The first complex on the lower level is just a system of lakes with numerous fountains.

The central fountain with a circle of Hindu gods, symbolizing the one god.

The demon Rakshasa in the form of a boar-fountain guards the sacred water in the pond.

The most unusual path, and not a path at all, is a sequence of pebbles in a pond in which fat golden carps swim. They can be fed.

Cascades of fountains on the side alley emphasize the composition and unite the cascade of lakes into a single architectural ensemble.

The second, middle level symbolizes the "World of people".

There are baths and pools for swimming. The locals love to splash in them. , after all, according to legend, everyone who bathes in the holy water of Tirta Ganga during the full moon will gain eternal youth and beauty. So you can join and cool off, the baths are open to everyone for a fee.

Finally, the third, topmost level is the "World of the Gods".

There is a local temple where silence and tranquility reign.

You can climb even higher up the mountain and look from above at all this man-made splendor. Believe me, the view of the Raja's palace and the water garden from here is simply mesmerizing.

Water sources created by nature on the island of Bali are considered holy, because water gives life, rice and fish.

• Where is the ticket price. The water palace of Tirta Ganga is located in the middle of rice fields, around the natural springs of Rejasa, about 7 km north of the city of Amlapura. The price of an adult ticket to the Tirta Ganga Water Palace is IDR 10,000. If you want to swim in a pool of holy water, you need to pay another 10,000.
• Time The complex is open until 6 pm. To visit, allocate at least an hour, and if with baths, then more.
• ON A NOTE! A visit to the two water palaces can be combined with the Pura Besakih temple complex.

Pura Besakih— a magnificent temple complex at the foot of the Agung volcano and the main religious building of the island of Bali, the so-called "Mother of Temples".

This majestic and sacred place for the Balinese definitely deserves special attention!

ON A NOTE! Keep in mind that Pura Besakih is also the crossroads of hiking trails, so the "local mafia" has introduced fees for unwise single tourists. Our driver immediately warned us about the "safety rules" in this place, but even knowing the local features, it was difficult for us to fight off the annoying "local guides" and crowds of beggars on the way to this holy place.

It was the only small "fly in the ointment" in a huge "barrel of honey" called the island of Bali!

Further, our path lay in the wonderful city of Ubud - the center of art and creativity in Bali.

Ubud and its surroundings - this is the place for which I went to Bali. It would seem that a small town in the center of the island, but it is very different from the noisy and party southern part of Bali: the towns of Kuta, Seminyak - a paradise for surfers.

Here are some beach photos from Sanur, a favorite holiday destination for Australians and Europeans.

• ON A NOTE! If you are going to Bali because of the paradise beaches and the ocean, then I want to disappoint you ... Of course, there is an ocean here, but two options for beaches are available: a beautiful ocean, but high waves (Kuta and Seminyak) or a calm, but shallow ocean and a beach that is very dirty after strong low tides (Sanur). There are, of course, coral reefs and clean beaches in the Amed area, but they are far away and the tourist infrastructure there leaves much to be desired. But do not worry, the magical island of the Gods compensates for this with magnificent nature, history and a magical atmosphere!

But back to Ubud...

Ubud - such an original city that many fall in love with it at first sight, and some remain to live forever. It is considered the cultural capital of Bali and there is a historical explanation for this.

The island of Bali, unlike the rest of Indonesia, where Islam reigns, is the only stronghold of Hinduism and Buddhism in the region. Thanks to the relocation of the royal Majapahit dynasty here, the island began to actively develop. It was in Ubud that creative people and intellectuals persecuted by Islam flocked from Java and other Indonesian islands. And at the beginning of the 20th century, the royal family also actively supported Western artists and artists who moved to Bali. And so it happened that art and creativity became an integral part of Ubud.

What is the "trick" of Ubud?

Most likely, in the symbiosis "Art - Creativity - Crafts".

To feel the special atmosphere of the city, one day is definitely not enough. We lived in Ubud for a week and believe me, we didn’t have time to see a lot more!

To plunge into the creative atmosphere, you need to slowly walk through the numerous art galleries and art cafes, look into the shops of local artisans. You will be amazed by the beauty of handicrafts: wood and stone carvings, batik, painting, ceramics, silver and copper filigree.

Be sure to check out local art galleries and art museums in Ubud: Puri Lukisan, Neka museum, Antonio Blanco museum, ArtZoo gallery. Here are magnificent works of local and foreign artists.

• ON A NOTE! if you need souvenirs from Bali, then in the art shops and author's workshops of Ubud and its environs you can find everything you want. But do not forget to bargain: usually the price can be brought down by one and a half to two times if you bargain for a long time, stubbornly and, most importantly, with a twinkle. The Balinese are people with a good sense of humor and a cheerful bargain will be appreciated!

And there is no need to talk about the architecture of the city.

Temples and palaces in the typical Balinese style are on every corner and amaze with the beauty of the lines. What can I say look into any hotel, and your eyes will open a window to Eden!

The streets of Ubud are a separate issue., but be careful in the center the sidewalks are narrow and there are too many tourists on them. Yes, and you have to look under your feet all the time so as not to step on some next offering to the gods…

The central part of Ubud is not the quietest place!

Tourists and locals go here in droves, but endure this pandemonium, walk along the main street of Jalan Raya Ubud and be sure to look into another magnificent Royal Palace and temple complex on the water ...

Puri Saren Agung Water Palace andtemple complex of the goddess Pura Saraswati.

Puri Saren Agung Water Palace is one of the most famous attractions in the city. It was built according to the project of the architect Lempad. Since its construction at the beginning of the 19th century and until the mid-1940s, this palace was the residence of the ruler, and some royal descendants live there to this day.

Part of the complex is closed to visitors and is private property, some buildings have been converted into hotels and restaurants.

The palace complex is decorated with well-groomed gardens, gilded wooden sculptures and figures of demons, which are designed to ward off evil spirits (how could it be without them!). It also hosts performances by Balinese dancers to traditional gamelan music.

Next to the palace in a magnificent water garden is temple complex of the goddess Pura Saraswati. Pura Saraswati is translated as "flowing river", so the temple in her honor is located in the middle of a pond with blooming lotuses. The temple and the Water Garden were built at the end of the 19th century. The spectacle is truly magnificent!

Monkey Forest.

monkey forest - the place is famous and very original. It is worth going there during the day - coolness and twilight always reign in the forest, and at +35 it does not hurt at all!

ON A NOTE! Be careful with the monkeys and if you do not plan to get up close with the "funny animals" refrain from taking food or drinks with you. Do not buy bananas from local merchants, the monkeys will still take away, besides, they can scratch or bite!

What else can you do in Ubud?

I recommend to relax, quietly travel around the area and plunge into the atmosphere of the "real Bali": see wonderful temples and rice terraces, look into the workshops of local craftsmen or do yoga and meditation, because many people come specifically for this.

And this is not at all strange, because in the Middle Ages Ubud was a healing and healing center empire of Majapahit. The city's name is said to come from the Balinese word for medicine. That is why there are so many alternative medicine centers in Ubud and “advanced” people from all over the world flock here for retreats, ashrams, and yoga seminars.

There are many interesting places in 15-20 minutes from Ubud, for example, Elephant Cave Goa Gajah and very ancient and beautiful Gunung Kawi Temple surrounded by cascades rice terraces Tegallantang.

• ON A NOTE! Ubud is located 40 kilometers from the tourist south of Bali, and hence from the airport. Given the narrow roads and obligatory traffic jams, it will take about an hour and a half to get to Ubud. You can get there by car or scooter. By taxi, the road will cost about 200,000 rupees ($20) one way (per car). We booked a taxi directly at the hotel - it was cheaper. Public transport, as I wrote above, practically does not exist in Bali, although in tourist shops in Kuta and Seminyak you can buy bus (minibus) tickets to Ubud and they are inexpensive (about $ 5).

And finally …

Having visited Bali at least once, it is already impossible to forget this wonderful island: its beautiful, green rice terraces and jungles, gloomy volcanoes, on the tops of which gods live and silver lakes, waterfalls of stunning beauty, a lush ocean with multi-story waves, and magical temples that guarded by spirits and demons.

Bali is a truly magical island, here the worlds of people and spirits are very close to each other.. You can open one door, enter another world, then come back. Here, mysticism and magic are in the air, and art and creativity hold it all together in a single union!

Once here and immersed in these sensations, you will not be able to forget the brightness of colors and fabulous images, which means that the “magic magnet” of the paradise island will always beckon you.

Are you not afraid? Then welcome to the fairy tale!

Smiles to you and bright discoveries!

*The article uses personal materials and photos of the author, as well as some photos from free sources on the Internet.