It is not known when the springs started to flows at the place now called Tirtagangga, but looking at the banyan tree, which is usually planted near holly places, it might be there already as old as 300 years ago. Until to date the spring water is used as holly water for many ceremonies.
The religious function of the spring, the cool climate and the scenic beauty of the surrounding hills inspired the late King of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem to build recreational water gardens for himself and his people, which he started in 1948. Making water gardens of all sorts had always been his hobby. He not only did all the designing himself, but he also used to work together with his labourers, digging in the ground, standing knee deep in the water, dirty with mud. It was always a great surprise for the visitors after some time looking at the work in progress to discover the tiny figure of the Raja among the workers. People liked it and it was one of his many charming traits.
It began construction around January 1948 and is estimated to have been completed around September 1948, after which it was officially used by the Royal Family as a resting place and until now it has been used for the welfare of the Royal Family; local residents of Ababi, Temega, Pladung for Tirta Yatra religious activities.
In 1963 Mount Agung erupted with many earthquakes which destroyed most of the buildings and ponds in the Park. The entire royal family and community in Karanagsem sought refuge in other, safer areas in Bali. When after about ten months the calamity was over the Raja returned, only to find the beautiful garden in ruins. There was no money for rebuilding the ponds and structures. With the introduction of the Land Reform Bill the Rajas, like all the other great land owners, had lost their means for extravagant undertakings. The rehabilitation of Tirtagangga could only be done in a very frugal and haphazard manner.
In 1966 the Raja died of stroke at the age of 87. After his passing away the Water Gardens then belongs to his 10 sons. To preserve the now family belonging, the gardens and the special architecture pioneered by the Raja Karangasem has now become part of the family “Druwe Tengah”. Unfortunately the family has no funds to continue maintenance of the place and it was struggling to maintain, even though it has decided to start charging for guest entering the gardens.
Since 1979, after a long duty abroad, one of the late King son, Dr. Anak Agung Made Djelantik supervised the rehabilitation of the garden, with a slight increase of the entrance fees in 1985 and donating his own private money, a little bit could be accomplished. An arrangement was also made with the local water company (PDAM), to use part of the spring water for the Karangasem city consumption, and this has helped to renovate the upper swimming pool. Little by little the water gardens are coming into a better shape, and begun to be known in the world of tourism
In 2002, with the help of several foundations, and donors, initiated by Dr. AA Made Djelantik and further manage by his son, AA Widoera Djelantik, who was indeed an architect, the Gardens could be renovated more intensively, step by step according to a master plan formed at that time. After several years of hard work, AA Widoera assisted by other family members of the Royal family manage to bring back the beauty of the Royal Garden, Taman Tirtagangga. Visitors will also come to enjoy the beauty of the Park.
Since mid 2018 the management of the Gardens has been change and now headed another family member of the Royal family that is by AA Made Kosalya and his management and operational team of about 40 people
For more details about the history of the park, can be seen at www.tirtagangga.com
