Visits to Tirta Gangga Water Palace

Located at Ababi village, Abang distric, East Bali, Tirtagangga lies less than 100km fromthe capital city Denpasar. This water garden was built in 1948 by the King of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, blending Balinese and Chinese styles. In the late forties of the last century, this was a playful weekend retreat for one of the last raja`s of Bali. There are enough water basins, fountains and bizarre statues to charm you, while the surroundings are pretty and quiet.

The water comes from one of the nearby natural springs. The place has always been regarded as holy.

Tirta means blessed water, gangga cames from Ganges, the holy river in India. The holy water is required for ceremonies of the temples in the surrounding as far as Tirtagangga. The springs have a huge output of pure water. The water is first led to a reservoir where it is divided in two parts. One third provides drinking water for the town Amlapura.

The remainder goes into the upper swimming pool through an underground pipe. The overflow of water goes into the lower swimming pool, the other ponds and finally into the rice fields.