If you travel to Bali for the first time, you might notice that there seems to be pura (temples) littered everywhere in the islands, from the small shrines in the public areas to the bigger temples. And well, yes, it shouldn’t come as a surprise as Bali is touted as Indonesia’s Islands of the Gods – it has a strong fascinating culture and deep-rooted Hindu traditions that remain pure and unspoiled. One of the most popular and prettiest temples that you might need to visit for a special cultural visit during your trip in Bali is Pura Taman Ayun (Taman Ayun Temple).
Located in Mengwi, Badung, away from the hustle bustle of the city center, this temple is nestled in lush, greenery surrounding with trees and ponds – about 18 km northwest of Denpasar and about 8 km southwest of Ubud. Taman Ayun Temple is one of the most attractive and most visited temples in Bali. This 17th century creation was built as a family temple of Mengwi Empire and was only accessible for the royals. This temple is declared as part of the world cultural tourism site by UNESCO as it holds a very strong and sophisticated architectural design.
The Taman Ayun Temple complex occupies an area of 100 x 250 m2, comprising four different courts. The first one is called ‘Jaba’ or outer court – it is only accessible through one single entrance through a bridge over the ponds. In the first inner court, there is a small guardian shrine and a large ‘wantilan’ hall that the local communities usually use for gatherings.
Then, you will be welcomed by a tall fountain and a big shelter with ornamental features and reliefs depicting the 9 Gods guarding the cardinal directions in the second inner court. Lastly, the third inner court of the complex is the highest court and is considered the most sacred place. It is referred to as the Utama Mandala – the “gelung door” or the intricately ornamented gate that is only open during certain ceremonies only.
Taman Ayun literally means “A Beautiful Garden”, which strongly represents the situation of the temple that is super beautiful – surrounded by many tiered shrines dedicated to different gods, lovely manicured foliage garden, thatched-roofed prayer hut, and canals. No wonder, this is the ultimate place that people usually flock to get peace and serenity.
Things to do Nearby
While you are in Badung and are traveling with your family and kids, paying a visit to Alas Kedaton is an alternative option to the more popular Ubud Monkey Forest. It is a 7-hectares protected forest area that serves as a temple as well as animal sanctuary for the grey long-tailed macaques. This is a perfect opportunity to learn about Balinese cultural traditions while getting to interact and play with the monkeys. It only takes around a 20-minute drive away from Pura Taman Ayun.
Another historical landmark that is located nearby the Pura Taman Ayun that you may want to visit to dig more about the history of Bali, and Indonesia as a whole, is Monumen Nasional Taman Pujaan Bangsa Margarana. This 17-meters height monument was built in 1954 to commemorate the Puputan War Margarana – the war between the Dutch and Ciung Wanara Battalion led by the National Hero I Gusti Ngurah Rai. There is also a building inside the complex that serves as a museum storing various historical relics, from weapons, communication tools, to medical devices.
