Pura Taman Ayun, One Of The Most Famous Temples In Bali
Pura Taman Ayun is one of the most important temples in southern Bali. Known for its famous gardens and artificial lakes, it is one of the must-sees if you travel to the southern part of the island. Therefore, we want to give you the necessary information so that you have everything you need to fully enjoy the scenery that this sanctuary shows.
The temple of Pura Taman Ayun
The temple dates from 1634 and was built during the Mengwi dynasty. The Raja of Mengwi had it built as a tribute to his mandate and his family. The Pura Taman Ayun temple tries to deify the figures of the royal family of the dynasty, along with other gods of Hindu mythology such as Brahma, Shiva or Vishnu.
Its name, which translates as the ‘water temple in the garden’, refers to the environment where it is built. It is located in the town of Mengwi, near the cities of Ubud and Denpasar. This one, built on several levels, stands out for the shape of its pyramidal roofs, created to drive away evil spirits.
Also, in honor of its name, its beautiful but small ponds surrounded by lotus flowers stand out. In addition, the main elements are located following some coordinates that connect the mountains with the sea. For all these reasons, Pura Taman Ayun was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2012.
Visiting Pura Taman Ayun
The first thing we will find when entering the temple of Pura Taman Ayun is a bridge. Behind this is the door known as Candi Bentar. This door, full of details, is the entrance that gives access to the exterior patio of the complex.
Already in the courtyard, the first of the pavilions draws attention, where different figures representing a cockfight are exhibited. Culturally, cockfighting is a deeply rooted tradition, although it continues to be illegal.
In addition to the pavilion, as we have commented previously, in the patio we can enjoy its exotic gardens. The beautiful vegetation is a visual spectacle, from its manicured lawn to the native species used for its composition.
Later, following the path, we will find the second courtyard of the temple. The entrance gate, named Kori Agung, is the main gate and is also carefully decorated with guardian figures typical of Balinese mythology. This gate is only open to visitors during some important ceremonies that are still performed in the temple.
The sacred precinct
Finally, we arrive at the most sacred part of the temple, where the most important sanctuaries of the complex are located. These are flanked by stone walls and by a small moat through which the water runs. Already inside there are various pavilions made of wood, ready to hold meetings.
Near the different sanctuaries we also find the pagodas or meru , placed to respect the harmony of the place. All of these have different levels to symbolize the mountains, a sacred place where the gods live.
Tips to enjoy the visit
The advice to get to the Pura Taman Ayun temple quickly and safely is to rent a motorcycle or car from Ubud, one of the closest cities. Already in the temple, we remember that its opening hours are from eight in the morning until six in the afternoon. The ticket price, including parking , does not exceed two euros.
Similarly, whenever possible it is best to visit the temple first thing in the morning, before most tourists arrive. These are usually concentrated in the early afternoon. In addition, visiting this type of temple requires a small dress code: we must be as discreet as possible, covering especially the legs and shoulders.
In addition, if we still have time, without traveling too much we can take another excursion to visit other famous temples in the south of the country. Among them we can mention the Pura Tanah Lot and Pura Uluwatu temples.
