Taman Ayun Temple and its Surroundings

History

It is a royal temple built in 1634, surrounded by moat full of water lilies and is about 300 meters of the former palace of the King of Mengwi.

The Temple yar is always green and fresh with well-cared flowers plants and grass, while in the inner yard row of “Meru” (Multi storied shrine), the ancestors shrine of the royal family of Mengwi called “Paibon” and the shrine to worship Ida Sang Hyang Tri Murti (God with His Three manifestation) called “Padmasana”.

Across the temple is the “Museum Manusa Yadnya” (museum of human life cycle rituals) where displayed series of rituals to be undergone by Hindu Balinese starting from the time inside the mother’s womb up to cremation ceremony.

Location

Taman Ayun temple is located at Mengwi village, district of Mengwi, Badung regency. It is about 19 km, north-west of Denpasar on the direction to Singaraja on the north throught Bedugul, the mountain resort.

Klungkung Regency “Puputan Klungkung Monument"

Identification and point of attraction.

This monument stand 28 meters in height in the centre of Semarapura, the capital town in form of “Linga - Yoni” (Male and female symbol) built on an area of 123 squaremeters in extent and named as “Puputan Klungkung Monument” (Puputan literally) means : “flight till the last drop of blood” / total war).

It is made of black stone entirely and it is relevan to Hindu philoshofy: “Puputan” or fight till last drop blood” committed by the best warriors of klungkung with their loyal people.

Location.

The monument can easily be reached from major places of interest like Besakih, Candi Dasa or Denpasar (Bali Capital) , the capital city since it is located right by the main road (the center part of Semarapura) with the old traditional court “Kerta Gosa” / Taman Gili nearby, traditional market, shopping center and government offices.

Since it was formally opened by the minister of Home Affairs on 28 April 1992, the monument has been visited by a lot of visitors either domestic or foreign visitors.

Description.

“Great nation are those who show honor to their heroes merit” is the proverb refered by the government of Klungkung Regencyin building the monument as to show respect to their heroes who had lost their lives during the struggling time against the Ducth colonialist taking place on 28 April 1908 right on the site where the monument erected, a heroic moment known as “Puputan Klungkung”, a war till the last drop of blood of Klungkung people and their King at that time against the Ducth troops.

The monument as mentioned above, is in the form of “Linga - Yoni” (male and female sex symbol) erected on an area of 123 square maters in extent, completed with “Bale Bengong” (resting place) on every corner. On the base part of the monument is a wide square hall with four entrances facing four directions. The height from the base up to the top is 28 meters, while between the base hall and the “lingga” (male sex symbol/phallus) is an octogonalspace layered by nineteen lotus petals. This is to symbolize and illustrate the date of 28 April 1908 to be commemorated every year. Inside the hall is the diorama showing the detile of the great war.

Uluwatu Temple

History.

Legend says that the lump of lime stone found on the location of the tample is the metamorphosis of the lake Goddes or the water Goddes.

Uluwatu Tample and its neighbourhood is supposed to be built around the eleventhcentury, the same time as when Mpu Kuturan (one of Hindu holy highpriests coming to Bali at that time) built some shrines within the mother temple, Besakih. This location was chosen by Highpriest Danghyang Nirartha to achieve "Moska" (to unite with God almighty).

The bush surrounding the templeis occupied by groups of monkey protected by the locals nearby.

Location.

Uluwatu temple is located on the cliff of coral hill, the most southern tip of Bali. The area belongs to Pecatu village, ditrict of Kuta, the regency of Badung.

It is about 30 km to go to uluwatu from Denpasar to the south throught welknown tourist resort of Kuta, Ngurah Rai International Airport and Jimbaran Village. The beach is best for surfing all the year round, however since the soil is so barren that fresh water is scarce to be found.

Facilities.

There an extensive parking lot availabe close to the tample as well as souvenir shops and drinking/food stalls and public toilet.