Tirta Gangga is a beautiful park with the huge
water fountain and wide pond located at Abang Sub-district, Karangasem Regency
in east part of Bali. Tirta Gangga Park was built in the year of 1948 by the
Karangasem King of Anak Agung Angluerah Ketut Karangasem. Before this park was
found, there is big wellspring found in this area which the local society
believe that the water comes from the holy spring therefore they call this
place as Embukan means wellspring. According to the local believe that this
wellspring is functioned as a bath place for the god and also was taken 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 an idea to improve this park into a good looking and
nowadays, it becomes one of the famous tourist destinations in east part of
Bali.
LOCATION
Tirta Gangga is strategically located beside of
the main street of Karangasem to Singaraja Town and it is just 20 minutes from
the local town or 2 hours and 15 minutes from Denpasar Town. You may join the
exciting tour to the east part of Bali which is created as East Bali Tour and
you will discover some places of interest in east part of Bali including Tirta
Gangga.
HISTORY
Tirta Gangga literally means water from the
Ganges and it is a site of some reverence for the Hindu Balinese. Strictly, the
name refers to the water palace was built in 1948 by the Raja of Karangasem,
Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem. However, the name widely used to refer to
the general area which includes the water palace and the lush rural areas
around. Tirta Gangga water palace is a maze of pools and fountains surrounded
by a lush garden and stone carvings and statues. The one hectare complex was
built in 1946 by the late King of Karangsem but was broken almost entirely by
the eruption of nearby volcano Mount Agung was exploding in 1963. It has been
lovingly re-built and restored and has an air of authentic royal magnificence.
The centerpiece of the palace is an eleven tiered fountain and there are many
beautiful carvings and statues adorning the gardens. The area around Tirta
Gangga is interesting for its rice paddy terraces panorama.
