BALI TAMAN AYUN TEMPLE
BALI TAMAN AYUN TEMPLE SITUATED IN MENGWI VILLAGE WITH VERY BEAUTIFUL GARDEN INSIDE THE TEMPLE
Taman Ayun Bali Temple is located in Mengwi Village, Badung Regency, about 18 km west of Denpasar City. This is a very beautiful temple, as the name suggests (Taman Ayun means temple in a beautiful garden). Apart from its beauty, Taman Ayun Temple is also considered to have historical value, which made the Bali regional government propose to UNESCO in 2002 that this temple be included in the World Heritage List. Taman Ayun Temple is indeed a temple that is very often visited by tourists when traveling in the afternoon to Tanah Lot Temple, because the Taman Ayun tourist attraction is located in Tabanan Village, so it is in the same direction as Tanah Lot which is often visited by many people. included in the Half Day Tanah Lot Tour program, for those of you who want to visit Tanah Lot. Those of you who want to visit Taman Ayun can join this tour package.
If you visit Taman Ayun Temple, Here’s everything you need to know:
UNESCO World Heritage List Taman Ayun Temple
Location of Taman Ayun Temple
Taman Ayun Temple is located at Ayodya Street No.10, Mengwi, Mengwi Sub-district, Badung Regency, Bali 80351 which is located in Mengwi Village and is often referred to as Mengwi Temple, has a very strategic location as a Badung places of interest that is often visited by tourists, which is not far from other tourist destinations that are no less interesting. If you travel from the Kuta area it will take around 90 minutes to reach this location and if you are from Ubud it will take around 75 minutes. It’s not that difficult to find the location of Taman Ayun Temple, you can use Google Maps if you want to explore here yourself and also at every fork in the road there are many signboards showing the direction of Taman Ayun. Temple. If you don’t want to explore on your own, you can use Bali Driver Hire private car rental and driver services with cheap prices and of course very satisfying service, or take one of the packages, namely the Half Day Tanah Lot Sunset Tour which will visit Taman Ayun Temple and temples. Tanah Lot with its amazing sunset views, with a comfortable car and a very friendly driver will make this trip even more enjoyable and make the trip to Taman Ayun Temple very meaningful.
History of Taman Ayun Temple
Taman Ayun Temple is the Main Temple (Paibon) of the Mengwi Kingdom. This temple was built by the King of Mengwi, I Gusti Agung Putu, in Java 1556 (1634 AD). Initially, I Gusti Agung Putu built the Taman Ayun temple in the north of Mengwi village to worship his ancestors. The temple was named Genter Park. When Mengwi grew into a large kingdom, I Gusti Agung Putu moved Taman Genter to the east and expanded the complex. The expanded temple was officially inaugurated as Pura Taman Ayun on Tuesday Kliwon – Medangsia, the fourth month of the Javanese year 1556. Until now, every Tuesday Kliwon wuku Medangsia in the Javanese calendar (Saka), a piodalan (ceremony) is held at this temple. to celebrate the temple’s anniversary. The aim and purpose of establishing this temple by the king was so that he and the people of the Mengwi kingdom could ask for blessings for the safety, prosperity and fertility of the country. It also gives the entire Mengwi community the opportunity to take part in religious ceremonies at Taman Ayun Temple, for example teaching and learning, mendak sangpitara, nunas pekuluh (holy water) to eradicate pests in the rice fields and so on. Taman Ayun Temple was also built as well as a holy place to worship “Pasek Badak” to worship the spirit of Pasek Badak which was carried by all Batu Bala Putra cadets (royal soldiers).
Restoration of Taman Ayun Temple
Taman Ayun Temple was greatly influenced by the rise and fall of the Mengwi kingdom in 1890 AD (1812 Caka) there was a war with the King of Badung, Mengwi experienced defeat and the king of Mengwi (the tenth) “I Gusti Agung Made Agung” died in battle and the entire family was still alive and fled. away to the east. In 1911 AD, part of the royal family returned to Mengwi and Taman Ayun Temple was restored. However, on Saturday, January 20, 1971, AD there was a very powerful earthquake (gejer) so that many existing buildings collapsed and were damaged. through a number of restorations works. A major restoration was carried out in 1937. In 1949, restoration was carried out on the Kori Agung (large room) of Bentar Temple. The large wantilan was also built at that time. The third restoration was carried out in 1972, followed by the final restoration in 1976 For those who like taking photos, the Kori Agung (main gate) which stands majestically is a very suitable object as a backdrop.
UNESCO World Heritage List Taman Ayun Temple
Taman Ayun Temple Bali is considered to have very high historical value and a very important role in the history of Badung Regency where Taman Ayun Temple was built by King Mengwi with the aim of worshiping the spirits of the ancestors of the kings who were embodied by the kings. development of Gedong Paibon, local communities and the government recommended the existence of Taman Ayun Temple to The World Heritage Center or UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to become a world heritage (world heritage). So, in 2022 the Bali provincial government proposed to UNESCo that Taman Ayun Temple be included in the World Heritage List and finally after a very long wait, namely approximately 10 years, and in 2012 UNESCO finally agreed to include Taman Ayun Temple on the list. World Heritage. world. cultural heritage list which determines that Taman Ayun Temple is part of a world cultural heritage site. Taman Ayun Temple is a historical building which is a legacy of the Mengwi kingdom in ancient times. By being designated as a cultural heritage site, this temple is increasingly being preserved so that it can be seen by future generations and reminds us of history. Our ancestors long ago built the Taman Ayun temple along with its functions and purposes.
Geographically Taman Ayun Temple
Temples in Bali generally use the Tri Mandala concept in building temple complexes, and this concept was first introduced by Dang Hyang Nirartha who was on a holy journey to spread religious teachings on the island of Bali in ancient times, and this concept is still maintained today. currently used, as well as the Taman Ayun Temple in Mengwi Village which also uses the Tri Mandala concept as the concept for the rooms and buildings in this holy temple area. Taman Ayun Temple is divided into three inner courtyards, the same as temples in Bali, where the three courtyards consist of the most sacred parts called Utama Mandala (offal), Madia Mandala (Central Java) and Nista Mandala (jabaan). To enter the Main Mandala, Kori Agung (Paduraksa) was built, while in Madia and Nista Mandala, Pura Bentar (Apit Surang) was built. The Taman Ayun Temple complex consists of 1 outer courtyard and 3 inner courtyards, which can be explained as follows.
Outside courtyard: The outer courtyard of Taman Ayun Temple is also called Jaba, located on the outside of the pond. Above the pond there is a bridge that surrounds the Taman Ayun Temple area. The function of the bridge is to connect the outer courtyard with the first inner courtyard. Where on this bridge there are 2 large statues located on the justify and right ends of the bridge, which function as spiritual guardians of Taman Ayun Temple, to prevent the entry of negative things into Taman Ayun Temple, at the end of the bridge. On the side of the first inner courtyard there is the Bentar gate. which is continued by a path leading to the first inner courtyard.
First inner courtyard: On the justify side of the Taman Ayun Temple route, near the gate, there is a small guard post. Here, in the first inner courtyard, there is a Wantilan (a kind of hall) which usually holds several ceremonies, including cockfighting which is also part of the ritual ceremonies at the temple. There was a path that crossed the first inner court and divided it into two parts, connecting the gate of the first inner court with the gate of the second inner court. To the southwest there is a round gazebo where people can rest and enjoy the beauty of the temple. There is a pond near the gazebo covered with water lilies. Right in the middle of the pool, there is a small pole that sprinkles water in nine different directions. To the east there is a group of small temples called Pura Luhuring Purnama. There is a gate at the end of the Taman Ayun Temple path which divides the first inner courtyard into two. The gate led to the second inner court, which was located higher than the first inner court.
Second inner courtyard: You pass through the gate to go up to the second courtyard and opposite the gate there is a building that functions as a partition. The partition of Taman Ayun Temple is decorated with relief carvings depicting the nine guardian gods of the cardinal points. To the east there is a small temple called Pura Dalem Bekak. To the west, in the corner, there is the Kulkul hall with a high roof. On the second page, many tourists often take photos in front of the gate leading to the third (main) page. This produces a very beautiful photo object, with the characteristic gate full of Balinese carvings made of brick and pars stone.
The third inner court: Which is also the deepest and highest, is the most sacred area. The main door, called the coil door, is placed right in the middle and is only opened during ceremonies. However, the main door of Taman Ayun Temple is flanked by two gates through which the public can access the courtyard to carry out daily routines at Taman Ayun Temple. In this courtyard there are several Merus, temples, Gedong, Padmasana, Padma Rong Telu, and other religious buildings.
Functions of Taman Ayun Temple
Taman Ayun Temple is one of the tourist destinations that is very often visited by foreign and domestic tourists in Mengwi village. Several other functions of Taman Ayun Temple are also related to the local community here, these functions play a very important role in welfare. in carrying out activities. ceremonies or other social activities, and Taman Ayun Temple can also be said to be a means of unifying various caste groups around this area which can be seen during religious ceremonies at Taman Ayun Temple, many people from various circles and castes come here and help one another. each other. each other and without distinction of race or class. The function of Taman Ayun Temple is very good for the welfare of the community in social life. Some of the functions of Taman Ayun Temple that the author can describe are as follows:
As a guardian temple (Pemawatan) so that people in Mengwi village who don’t have time to pray at the big temples in Bali such as Besakih Temple, Uluwatu Temple, Batur Temple, Batukaru Temple, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, etc. can come to Taman Ayun Temple and acts as an intermediary for prayers at large temples. So the temple can be used as an intermediary if you don’t have time to pray at large temples on the island of Bali.
As a unifier of the Mengwi village community from various castes and united as one who worships at Taman Ayun Temple, it could be said that during the ceremony at Taman Ayun Temple many Hindus from various castes mingled here with the aim of praying and asking for salvation, here they mingled without distinction caste and together offering worship to God Almighty, also Taman Ayun Temple as a unifier of all caste groups in this village.
As a source of irrigation, the temple is surrounded by a pond which is also used as water to irrigate the rice fields around the temple by the local community. Around the Taman Ayun temple there is a very large lake pond and this water is channeled into irrigation canals in the local village. where the water is used to irrigate the rice fields and plantations of local residents, so you could say this water is very useful for preserving the surrounding rice fields.
As a place for recreation and gathering for members of the Mengwi kingdom in ancient times, and to this day Taman Ayun Temple is also used by the local community and other Hindus in Bali as a place for recreation to enjoy the beauty of the park which was built in that year. ancient kingdom, with a very beautiful, safe and calm atmosphere makes Taman Ayun Temple very worthy of being used as a place of recreation, you can enjoy this beauty when you enter the first page, with a very beautiful garden atmosphere that will complete your tour here
Taman Ayun Temple Facilities
As for being one of the temple tourist destinations that is never empty, Taman Ayun Temple Bali has very complete facilities, so that it will make tourists feel very comfortable when visiting Taman Ayun Temple. The very large parking area will create a comfortable atmosphere, you don’t need to think long when visiting Taman Ayun because the parking area is large and can accommodate large buses too, in front of it there is a shop selling food and cold drinks. You can buy this temple if you feel thirsty and the price is quite cheap and there are also toilet facilities that you can use, these toilet facilities are located in the first yard of Taman Ayun Temple, apart from that there are also garden facilities. It is very spacious and will spoil your eyes to see the beauty of this temple. Taman Ayun Temple is an experience that will never be forgotten by visiting one of the important temples in Mengwi village and is one of the relics of the Mengwi kingdom in ancient times. If you are on holiday on the island of Bali, take the time to visit the Taman Ayun Temple with all its uniqueness and beauty which will complete your religious adventure on the island of Bali.