Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga The Royal Water Garden :: East Bali Interesting Places

Tirta Gangga royal water garden are composed mainly of water, gardens and sculptures. It is situated in the middle of rice field around the natural spring of Raja, approximately 7km. (5 miles) north of Amlapura, the main town of East Bali - Indonesia. Tirta Gangga is a well known cultural object in Bali. It belongs to royal family of Karangasem. The area of water garden is about 1,2 ha, consisting of three level of ground stretching from east to west. On the highest northern level there are a spring under the Banyan tree, the upper swimming pool and two decorative ponds, one of which contains four contains reminiscent of Versailles. The first thing one sees when entering the garden is the elegant eleven-tiered fountain which rises from the middle of the complex. This fountain's together with two large ponds from the middle level. The larger lowest level, on the left side of straight foot part running from the entrance to the west, is occupied by the big fish pond with a long Holy Water. The water from one of natural springs of Tirta Gangga has always been regarded as holy. It is used religious ceremonies in the temples in the area until today. Tirta mean blessed water, Gangga comes from Gangges, the holy river in India. The holy water is required for ceremonies of the temple in the surrounding as far as Tirta Gangga can be reached by foot.

At certain celebration days the people from the villages around will come in colorful processions with offerings, umbrellas, flags and other attributes. Led by their temple priest they hold ceremonies around the spring under the sounds of hymns and the music of Bleganjur. The springs have a huge output of pure water. The water is first led to a reservoir where it is divided in two parts. On thirds providers are drinking water for the town Amlapura. The remainder goes into the upper swimming pool through an underground pipe and trough the mouth of stone raksasa (demon). The overflow of water goes into the lower swimming pool, the others ponds and finally to the rice fields.

Posted by Bali Suta, last update 4 years ago