Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga is a former royal palace in eastern Bali, Indonesia. Named after the sacred river Ganges in India, it is noted for the Karangasem royal water palace, bathing pools and its Patirthan temple.

Location
Tirta Gangga is near the village of Ababi in County Abang, about 7 kilometres north of Amlapura (Karangasem District) and south-east of Mount Agung.

History
The complex was built in 1946 by the last king of Karangsem I Gusti Bagus Jelantik, who was also responsible for the construction of Ujung Water Palace. Tirta Gangga was intended as a recreation place for the king and his family. It was destroyed almost entirely by the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963.

Description
The temple complex covers one hectare. The springs that fill up the various ponds are to the northwest, on higher ground. Its waters are used for irrigation, economic activity and recreation.

Tirta Gangga is also called “Taman Rijasa” (Rijasa garden) because some rijasa trees (anyang-anyang - Elaeocarpus Grandiflorus) were planted.

Religion
Tirta Gangga upholds the beliefs in Balinese Hinduism that the river Ganges and its waters are sacred. Its water is used as holy water (tirta) for religious activities The Patirthan temple illustrates the historic significance of Tirta Gangga in the Balinese tradition as a pilgrimage and holy water site.