Pura Taman Ayun, Bali - the beautiful temple of the floating garden

Today we visit the Pura Taman Ayun temple in south central Bali. The Taman Ayun Temple is one of the most beautiful temples in Bali. In the 17th or 18th century, we don't know exactly, the second largest temple on the island was built as a state and family temple for the rulers of the Kingdom of Mengwi. It is one of the nine main temples in Bali and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012.

The Taman Ayun Temple is located in the now rather inconspicuous town of Mengwi. The complex on a river island is surrounded by moats and lotus ponds. When you approach the temple, it looks as if it is floating on water. Pura Taman Ayun translates as “Temple of the Floating Garden” or “Garden Temple in the Water”. Mengwi was once the seat of a powerful kingdom. Not only the Hindu deities Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma are worshiped in the temple, but also the ancestral spirits of the kings.

The temple complex is divided into four different courtyards. We enter the complex via a bridge. Magnificent shrines and halls are spread throughout an enchanting park-like garden. A ritual cockfight is reenacted in one of these halls. The temple interior consists of 27 structures. The up to 11-story meru, shrines with pagoda-like staggered roofs, are particularly impressive. The more floors a meru has, the more powerful the deity that is worshiped here. The highest meru with 11 roofs is reserved for the god Shiva.

The inner area of the temple is not accessible to tourists. A continuous moat surrounds the rectangular area with the imposing pagodas and lavishly decorated shrines. This ditch separates the most sacred area of the temple from everything earthly. And supposedly the gods love to bathe in the water! But all we have left is the path along the moat. But the boundary wall, which is only chest-high, allows us wonderful views of the buildings, so that we get an idea of the mysticism of the place.

The entire complex was extensively renovated after an earthquake in 1937. At the exit there is a small museum that provides information about the history of the Mengwi royal family, and an art gallery.

Many thanks to our guide Wira for the lots of interesting information about the temple and the country and people of Bali!

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Trip in July 2023

Chapter:
00:00 Intro
00:38 Arrival and entrance area
01:33 Outside temple area
03:42 Inner temple area
07:18 Rice Goddess Shri Devi
07:54 Museum
08:37 Exit
09:13 Outro

Cinematic Suspense Series Episode 003 by Sascha Ende
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