Tirta Gangga

Welcome to Tirta Gangga Water Palace, a piece of heaven embedded in the beautiful surroundings of eastern Bali!

With its unique charm and perfect for the Instagram view, this hidden utopia discovered your path to the lovely Ababi Village, Abang Sub-district! So, do you want to take a ride toward us?

Hold on, brave ones, because this two-hour scenic drive from the commotion of Denpasar will load you with expectations and amazement! And for those embarking on their dreamlike journey from the busy streets of Kuta, be prepared for a ride that is unpredictable, as full of adventure as it is thrilling!

But, dear wanderers of the glorified starting point in Ubud, you have hit the jackpot! Yours truly is a bit shorter and only lasts for about an hour and a half. However, fear not, for every bend of the road is more thrilling than the last, and there is always a grand discovery waiting around the corner! As you snake yourselves through the lush Balinese countryside, let yourself escape to the imagination! Imagine the emerald rice terraces over the horizon, the palm trees gently swaying with the breeze, softly whispering in your ears.

Then, as you reach your destination in Tirta Gangga, prepare to be amazed! The majestic fountains play games in the beams of sunlight. The pools of refreshing water shimmer in the light of each reflection. The vibrant gardens are bursting with life! But remember, dear travelers, it is not the magic of the destination that brings the most beauty! It is the great adventure that you take, your bags packed with your awe, and desire for discovery, which carries you to the Water Palace of Tirta Gangga!

Let’s start our journey with a breathtaking history of Tirta Gangga Water Palace: in the midst of Bali’s Karangasem Regency, among the turbulent years of the mid-20th century, a vision emerged. It was a vision of splendor, of serenity, of sacred waters. It was the vision for the Tirta Gangga Water Palace.

It all began in 1948, under the watchful gaze of Ida Anak Agung Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem — the last king of Karangasem. Eager to create a haven befitting a king, the ruler started what would eventually become the Rijasa Park .

However, destiny had other plans for him. One day, King Anak Agung awoke to a vision so vivid, he knew it was a sign. And that is how the Tirta Gangga Water Palace got its name — from the revered Goddess Ganga and the Hindus’ ancient association of the divine with the holy waters of the river Ganges.

The Rijasa Park swelled with tranquil pools and stately fountains, and it was a true paradise. Of course, it only made sense that the place be somewhat private — a luxury resort for the royal family where it may bathe in the purity of sacred waters. For a while, the palace was closed off to all but the chosen few.

See Picture

However, the rest of the world had a different plan in mind. Tirta Gangga suffered massive damage during the Japanese invasion in World War II, after which it was left to ruin. For years, the palace remained forgotten, an ancient legend in a rapidly changing world. That wasn’t the end of their troubles. Just sixteen years later, Mount Agung erupted, taking the Palace with it.

As is so often the case, from adversity’s ashes, something new arises. In 1979, the Palace’s caretakers, as well as the Indonesian government, with the help of the town and the villages of Ababi, Peladung, and Temega cleaned and dredged the ponds, gently replanted the flowers and rebuilt the statues until, finally, they were standing once more, whole and unbroken. And that is how Tirta Gangga emerged from the ashes of history and embraced the world — a testament to beauty beyond the mortal realm.

To paint a visual narrative of the Tirta Gangga Water Palace experience.

You awaken in a world where time ceases to exist and beauty is infinite — you have arrived in Tirta Gangga Water Palace. When the sun shines on the eastern horizon of Bali, the palace awakens your curiosity and calming aura.

The palace opens at 8:00 AM, and visitors may embark on an odyssey of fascination and delight. However, seasoned visitors warn you to avoid the late bird . The ideal time to see this is between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, or you must endure the warm delectable sun between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

When you enter the location, you will immediately see two large pools that are filled with ornamental fish the size of an adult’s hand. The first pool is on the east side. The pool is decorated with statues lined up. You can walk along the pool by stepping on solid rock neatly arranged like a path. In the middle of the pool, there are many small statues that were intentionally made and placed in the stone to make the park look good looking. All the statues are taken from the Hindu Historical epos like Maha Bharata, or Ramayana.

This pool is a favorite photo spot for visitors. You can take a selfie with a background of the statues in the pool. Many visitors come here to see the beauty of the pond with its very beautiful koi fish. This place is also used as an instagrammable photo spot because the photos taken here are so beautiful and very instagramable.

Just a skip and a hop away lies an enchanting park with an impressive 10-meter-high water tower. Try to imagine the stairs that lead to it which seem to ascend into the heavens, like the roof of a temple. But the waters of the Tirta Gangga pond are unlike any other. It is no simple pond, it is water from a holy source and has the power of centuries-old traditions. Used for ceremonies, it is beloved by both locals and tourists.

On the other side, there is the western pond, an adorable bridge, and a whole wonderful world in front of you. Use this bridge not just to cross over water but to create beautiful memories, have your photos taken, and keep them safe in your heart. So grab your camera and your favorite pose – you are in Tirta Gangga, the land of your dreams!

Venture deeper into the palace’s heart, and you’ll find the third level, where the primary complex and the royal residence of Bali’s first president, King A.A. Anglurah Ketut Karangasem’s country house is situated.

This iconic location has been completely rebuilt and transformed into a haven of entertainment, providing visitors with a glimpse of Bali’s royal past and a luxury venue deserving of royalty. Here, in the serene gardens and tall trees, visitors can enjoy delightful foods at the palace restaurant or retire to one of the four quaint bungalow villas available for rent.

Tirta Gangga Water Palace offers an unforgettable experience for visitors, whether you’re seeking a romantic vacation with a loved one or a peaceful sojourn from the stress of daily life. Wander around the corridors of history, relax among the lovely blooms, and let the allure of Tirta Gangga take you to a realm of fantasy where dreams are created and memories are composed in Bali’s shimmering east waters.

And while you will be strolling around the magical waters of Tirta Gangga Water Palace, get ready to stumble upon even more secrets growing against the emerald foliage. A park that can be seen nearby the humble pools of tranquillity features an impressive 10-meter-tall water tower which, like a temple roof, showcases steps that visitors are welcome to climb on top of.

It is where the waters of Tirta Gangga originate – from a sacred well of knowledge, testament to the Palace spiritual standing and a mirror of endless stories that one can find in the rich tapestry of Balinese Shintoism. Next to the bridge that separates the eastern and western ponds, a smaller covered bridge allows its visitors not only to capture astonishing background photographs but also to experience the joy of connect – past and present, tradition and inheritance, tourist and the true beauty of Tirta Gangga.

As you enter, I promise you will be blown away. There are two gigantic pools teeming with colorful ornamental fish over a hand’s length in diameter, illuminated by the morning sun sparkling across the dancing waters . At the pool’s side, to the east, the statues are towering, and the rock paths to the south and west tempt you to relax in every corner of this vibrant water universe. And that’s not all: a ten-meter-long water tower rises into the air, with steps rising to the top, imitating a symbiosis’s temple roofs. Here you will find the source of Tirta Gangga, filled with holy water that Balinese use for traditional rites passed down from generation to generation. And let’s not overlook the western pool, with a bridge across it: the cameras confirm this location’s popularity. This is where the water towers are located, towering over .

However, the main highlight of Tirta Gangga Water Palace is the main impounding complex, where the king of Karangasu— living quarters of former residents. The estate now serves as a retreat center with a restaurant and four bungalow cottages for rent. Englobe yourself in Balinese culture, immerse in the reservation of privacy, and modern amenities. Whether you discover a paradisiacal vista by daybreak or uncover the Golden Hour’s luminescence, Tirta Gangga Water Palace is a specter for all senses.