TIRTA GANGGA PARK


                                Tirta Gangga water palace is beautiful park with the huge water fountain and wide pond located at Abang sub district,Karangasem Regency in east part of Bali.Tirta Gangga or The Bali water palace of Tirtagangga 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 Denpasa.

                         Before Tirta Gangga water palace park found, there is big wellspring found in this area which the local society beleive that this water come from the land is holy spring therefore they call this place is Embukan means is wellspring,according to the local beleive that this local spring functioning as bath place for the God and also used as drinking water for the local community from the nearest village,therefore this wellspring is sacrificed by local people and keeps the park naturally.the King of Karangasem has got idea to improve this park into good looking and nowadays ,Tirta Gangga becomes on of the famous tourism destination in east part of Bali,
      The gardens of the Bali water palace in Tirta gangga were designed and constructed in 1948 by Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem (1887 – 1966), who was the last Raja (King) of Karangasem. He was a remarkable man to say the least, not only because he was the architect of the water gardens, but also because he helped with the construction of the gardens.

A lot of people were astonished to find the Raja amidst his lower class laborers, working knee deep in the mud digging out the pools and ponds. The gardens of this Bali water palace 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) of the Bali water palace are the swimming pools.

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

Building water gardens, including the designing and the labor work, was a favorite hobby of the Raja. As many of his visitors did not expect this, of course they were surprised to find the Raja 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 Tirtagangga has always been regarded as holy and is regularly used for religious temple ceremonies. With important celebration days Tirtagangga 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.

Another Interest place can be visiting during do tirta gangga water palace tour:

        * Tohpati Village : Bali batik painting and weaving clothes.

         * Bats Cave Temple : The temple with the cave in the cliff and thousand of Bats.

         * virgin Beach : The beautiful with natural beach in east Bali.

          * Tirta Gangga : Beautiful water park that built by King of Karangasem.

          * Sukasada Park : Beautiful Water Palace owned by King of Karangasem

Tour price to tirta gangga water palace tour :

        1 - 6 person : IDR. 600K per car
        7 - 13 person :IDR. 1200K per bus

Duration : 8 - 10 hours
Pick up time : 09.00 AM