Let us introduce ourselves
A few words about us
Tirta Gangga is derived from the word “Tirta” which means holy water and the word “Gangga” which is the name of a holy river in India, which is used as a place to perform rituals to purify oneself
The area of the water garden is about 1.2 ha (3 acres), consisting of three levels of ground stretching from east to west. On the highest northern Swah level there are the spring under the banyan tree, the upper swimming pool and two decorative ponds, one with four fountains reminiscent of Versailles, and the other with Victoria lotuses.
The first thing one sees when entering the garden is the elegant eleven-tiered Nawa Sanga fountain which rises from the middle of the complex. This fountain together with the two ponds forms the middle Bwah level.
The larger lowest Bhur level, on the left side of the straight foot path running from the entrance to the west, is occupied by the big South pond with the long Demon Island in the middle.
Upon entering the Gardens of Tirtagangga, the first thing tourists see is a stretch of a pool of water left and right, and there is eleven teared Nawa sanga Fountain in the middle. Inside the waters, people can see many fishes swimming. The water itself is very clear and cool, as it is all flowing from natural spring. This spring water in the Tirtagangga are considered to be as holey, therefore there is a designated Temple on the upper level inside the gardens under the Banyan Tree, which has its own natural spring water flowing and used specifically for religious ceremonies.
At the first gate, people will be greeted by statues from the Mahabrata storey lined up neatly like soldiers.. Visitors can walk along the pond by walking on the pond stone footpath neatly arranged like a series of bridges. You can take pictures with the background of the tall water fountain as well as the statues in the pool and with all the fishes around.
There are also pools designated for swimming . Here in the Tirta Gangga pool, the water is very cool and clear. It feels completely different from swimming in a modern swimming pool. It is recommended if you take time to swim in this bathing pool. You must bring a change of clothes and towels, if you plan to try the bathing pool from the Rejasa spring.
Our Garden
Image source: www.tirtagangga.com
The multipurpose building on the right is now a restaurant and souvenir shop. The sculptures in the Mahaberata pond, at the fountain, Nawa Sanga, at the South Ornamental Pond, at the place of meditation and so on, are all meaningful for the balance of the upper and lower worlds. For the rest can be read at www.tirtagangga.com
Brief History
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
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Taman Tirtagangga
Jl. Abang, Karangasem – Bali
Phone: +62 812-3670-048
Opening Hours:
Open Everyday 8:00 AM – 06:00 PM