Tirta Gangga Park

Tirta Gangga is one of the famous tourist destinations in east part of Bali and it is one the stop points of tourist object on Bali East Tour  Itinerary. In the middle of park, there are many small statues are intentionally set on the stone to decorate the park in order to make a good looking. All of the statues are taken from the Hindu Historical epos like Maha Bharata or Ramayana. On this page, we present the statue photo at Tirta Gangga Park.

History of Tirta Gangga Park :

Tirta gangga built in 1948 by King of karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem. This water park is constructed in a very unique architectural style of Bali and China.

Location of Tirta Gangga Park :

Tirta gangga located at Abang Sub-district, Karangasem Regency in east part of Bali, about 83 km from Denpasar and 6 km from Amlapura to the north.

Facilities of Tirta Gangga Park :

Facilities available in this area such as small hotels, small restaurants, and shops and extensive parking area.

Description of Tirta Gangga Park :

Tirta gangga places in 1.2 hectares in area which consists of three complexes. The first complex that is at the very bottom to find two teratati ponds and fountains. The second complex is the center where it can be found in a swimming pool, while, on the third part, namely the third

Complex of Tirta Gangga Park :

we can find the resting place of kings. Before this park is found, there is big wellspring found in this area which the local society believe that this water come from the land is holy spring therefore they call this place is Embukan means wellspring. The spring is then enabled to meet the needs of the population will be water and also as a“pemurnian”(purification) of the Gods. For this purpose, the spring was considered holy and sacred. Religious aspects of constructing Tirtaganga to break the king’s house and also to the general function of decent to watch. The King of Karangasem has got an idea to improve this park into a good looking and nowadays, it becomes one of the famous tourist destination in east part of Bali.

The water palace of Tirta gangga was built in 1948 by King Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, This palace has been shaped in the form of a beautiful water garden and it is located near a natural spring. This spring wells up under a hugh banyan tree which stands at the foot of a hill. At the top of this hill stands a village temple. The scenery of the area is fantastic with great views and the climate is relatively cool. These facts, together with the religious rites of the spring, inspired the King to build himself a private country house nearby this spring set amidst a beautiful recreational garden. He called it Tirta gangga - derived from the words 'Tirta' (blessed water) and 'Gangga' (from 'Ganges', the holy river in India).

The water gardens 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) are the swimming pools. The third level houses the main complex with the country home of the former King. Nowadays one can find a restaurant and four bungalow units (which are for rent) in this former country home of King A.A. Anglurah Ketut Karangasem.

Building water gardens, including the designing and the labor work, was a favorite hobby of the King . As many of his visitors did not expect this, of course they were surprised to find the King himself working among his labourers, standing knee deep in mud digging out the earth.

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 Tirta gangga has always been regarded as holy and is regularly used for religious temple ceremonies. With important celebration days Tirta gangga 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 is located near Ababi village in Ababi, Karangasem, situated about 6 kilometres north of the town of Amlapura, at a distance of 83 km from Denpasar.