TIRTA GANGGA WATER PALACE
TIRTA GANGGA WATER PALACE IS A BEAUTIFUL RECREATIONAL GARDEN IN EAST BALI, DERIVED FROM TWO WORDS, “TIRTA” MEAN BLESSED WATER AND “GANGGA” MEAN HOLY RIVER IN INDIA
Tirta Gangga Water Palace is a famous tourist destination in the eastern part of Bali and is one of the popular destinations on the Bali East Tour and Bali Lempuyang Tour Itinerary. In the center of the garden, there are various small statues deliberately placed on rocks to decorate the garden. These statues are taken from Hindu historical Epos such as the Mahabharata or Ramayana. On this page, we feature photos of the statues at Tirta Gangga Water Palace. This place is very popular with tourists because of its beautiful pools inhabited by beautiful koi fish, and it is often a favorite location for taking pictures because of the beautiful and Instagrammable results. If you are visiting the eastern part of Bali, you should stop at Tirta Gangga Water Palace to enjoy the beauty of the pool with beautiful koi fish and take pictures there.
If you visit Tirta Gangga Water Palace, here’s what you need to know:
- Part of Tour Site in East Bali
- History of Tirta Gangga
- Location of Tirta Gangga
- Tirta Gangga Complex Description
- Holy Water at Tirta Gangga
- Facilities of Tirta Gangga Water Palace
- How Get to Tirta Gangga
Part of Tour Site in East Bali
If we read about tours in the east of Bali Island precisely in the Karangasem places of interest section, surely you will find that Tirta Gangga Water Palace is always an interesting destination, especially for foreign and domestic tourists who want to explore the uniqueness of this place. The site is included in the list of essentials on a tour to the east of Bali due to its strategic location on the main road to Lempuyang or Amed. Tirta Gangga Water Palace is recognized as one of the top destinations in the east of Bali Island and is often a must-visit option. The place is especially crowded on holidays, when visitors come to enjoy the beauty of the garden with its pools and large goldfish. There is also a special pool for those who want to swim there, with clear water that comes directly from the Tirta Gangga Water Palace spring.
History of Tirta Gangga
The history of Tirta Gangga Water Palace is very interesting, especially when we look at the source of its existence, which dates back to the Karangasem Kingdom. The building was constructed in 1948 by the King of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem. The design of the water park reflects a very distinctive Balinese Chinese architectural style. Located around a natural spring surrounded by banyan trees at the foot of the hill, the palace is beautifully shaped. The hilltop also houses a village temple, adding to its natural charm. It’s fantastic location with beautiful scenery and a cool climate is an attraction in itself. The importance of this spring in religious ceremonies has inspired the King to build a private house nearby, creating a special place amidst the stunning gardens. The name “Tirta Gangga” itself is derived from the words ‘Tirta’, which means holy or blessed water, and ‘Gangga’, which refers to a holy river in India.
Location of Tirta Gangga
Tirta Gangga is located in Ababi Village, Abang Sub-district, Karangasem Regency, in the eastern part of Bali, about 83 kilometers from Denpasar and 6 kilometers from Amlapura to the north. Traveling from Denpasar takes about 2 hours by car to reach Tirta Gangga Water Palace. On the way to Tirta Gangga, you can enjoy the scenery of the surrounding countryside and the activities of the local community. The location of Tirta Gangga is very strategic, it is located on the main road to Lempuyang and Amed, so many tourists stop here after doing activities such as diving in Amed. The distance from Kuta takes about two hours by car, while from Ubud it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, either by car or motorcycle. Although the trip is quite far, the experience of seeing the beauty of the pools and showers that are suitable for Instagram photos is very satisfying.
Tirta Gangga Complex Description
Tirta Gangga is located on an area of 1.2 hectares, which is divided into three main complexes. The first complex, located at the bottom, has two lotus pools and a fountain. The second complex, in the center, has a swimming pool, while the third complex is the resting place of the kings. Before the construction of the Tirta Gangga Water Palace, this area had a large spring that was believed by the local people to be a holy spring. This spring is known as Embukan, which means spring in the local language. The spring is used to supply the population’s water needs and also as a means of “pemurnian” (purification) for the gods, which makes it a holy and sacred place. The religious aspect of the construction of Tirta Gangga Park includes the breaking up of the king’s house and its use for public benefit, which is admirable. The idea came from the King of Karangasem, who wanted to beautify the park, and today it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the eastern part of Bali.
The water park at Tirta Gangga Water Palace is a unique blend of Balinese and Chinese architecture. The water park covers about 1.2 hectares and is divided into three different complexes, each equipped with pools and various statues. The bottom complex has two large pools and a water tower with clean, fresh water. The middle complex has a swimming pool, while the main complex on the top level is where the former King’s country house is located. Today, the area also features a restaurant and four rentable bungalow units, which used to be part of the King’s residence, Anglurah Ketut Karangasem. Building the water park was a favorite pastime of the King, who was often seen directly involved in the design and construction, even getting in the middle of the physical work such as digging in the mud, often leaving visitors surprised and impressed.
On the grounds of Tirta Gangga Water Palace, there is a reservoir that receives spring water. The water from this reservoir is used to provide drinking water supply for Amlapura City through a pipeline system. In addition, there is also an underground pipe system that directs water to the upper swimming pool. In this pool, water comes out through a giant mouth in the shape of a devil statue that stands in one corner of the pool. After that, the water flows into a lower pool, then into several small fish pools, and finally flows into the rice field area bordering the park.
Holy Water at Tirta Gangga
In Tirta Gangga, there is a spring that is highly respected by the local community as it is considered sacred. During religious ceremonies, people always come to this spring to collect holy water that is used for ceremonial purposes due to their belief in its sanctity. The water from Tirta Gangga Park is considered holy water and is regularly used in religious ceremonies in the surrounding temples. On important festive days, Tirta Gangga Park takes center stage with color processions involving offerings, umbrellas, flags, and other signs of respect. Led by the local temple priest, the ceremony is held around the spring, accompanied by chanting and the music of ‘Beleganjur’, a gamelan gong group consisting of small gongs played in beautiful harmony. The ceremony can be seen on certain days, when villagers gather to pray for safety and prosperity.
Facilities of Tirta Gangga Water Palace
The facilities at Tirta Gangga are very complete. You can use the toilets by donating to the toiletkeeper there. There are also several restaurants that serve delicious Indonesian food. After a long journey on a tour, you can enjoy lunch at one of these restaurants. Each restaurant has its own characteristics and offers specialties in a beautiful atmosphere, making you feel at home there. In addition to the restaurants, there are also stalls selling drinks and snacks in the parking area. The large parking area makes your visit even more enjoyable. You can also buy souvenirs at the gift shop available for your relatives or family. All these facilities are very complete and make it easy for you to visit Tirta Gangga without worrying about your needs while you are there.
How Get to Tirta Gangga
If you are interested in visiting Tirta Gangga Water Palace in the eastern part of Bali Island, we from Bali Driver Hire are ready to help you. We offer tour packages, such as the Bali East Tour, with affordable prices and satisfying services. You will be invited to visit a phenomenal tourist spot with a beautiful koi pool and amazing gardens, resulting in amazingly beautiful photos. In addition to tour packages, we also provide transportation charter services with a driver if you just want to visit some attractions without being tied to a tour program. So, don’t miss the chance to visit Tirta Gangga Water Palace and other interesting attractions in the eastern part of Bali Island. For the best experience, it is recommended to visit Tirta Gangga in the morning when it is still quiet, so you can easily take pictures at interesting spots. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us immediately and make your day very special by exploring Tirta Gangga and other amazing tourist destinations.