Taman Ayun Temple - Bali

Taman Ayun Temple is a Royal Temple of Mengwi Empire and it is located in Mengwi village, Mengwi sub district, Badung regency and about 18 km north side of Denpasar town. It is strategically located beside of major roadway between Denpasar to Singaraja. It is set on the land which is surrounded by the big fish pond and look like a drift on the water. It owns the beautiful temple building with multistoried roof and Balinese Architecture. The wide beautiful landscape garden in front courtyard to welcome all visitors who come and visit this temple. It is a beautiful place to visit in Bali.

Taman Ayun in Bali means ‘beautiful garden’. This complex of religious buildings, are in wide 4 hectares of land, surrounded by a pond or a trench. From a distance, the trench resembles ‘ring of water’ and give the impression that the temple is located on the surface of the water. Around the temple, there are trees and flowers that add a wonderful atmosphere.

Pura Taman Ayun Temple complex consists of three parts. The first is the main building called 'Bale Pelik'. Building 'Bale Pelik' decorated by the sculptures, reliefs, and statue of God ‘Nawa Sanga’, which is very interesting. The second part is the open space used for various religious activities and stage arts. In this part visitors can enjoy the beautiful order of ‘Meru’, building with the level-multilevel roof as a typical of holy building in Bali. While the third part is a building that is for the god and goddess in Bali Hinduism.

Temple of Pura Taman Ayun built in 1634 in reign of first King of the Mengwi Kingdom, I Gusti Agung Ngurah Made Agung, whose title Ida Cokorda Sakti Belambangan. In this period Mengwi Kingdom is one of the strongest kingdom in Bali, which survived until the year 1891. This temple was built as a place of worship for royal family and the king followers. Unlike with other Bali temples that oriented to the Mount Agung, Taman Ayun Temple oriented to the Mount Batukau.

The function of Taman Ayun Temple is a place to pray the god in their manifestation. It is according to the content of Babad Mengwi and the existence of temple building structure, especially the temple that is located in third area (Jeroan). According to Astadewata, the special God is worshiped in Taman Ayun Temple is the God in manifestation as a Wisnu God which his palace located in top of Mangu mount. In papyrus of Usana Bali mentioning that one of Dewa Catur Lokapalas carry through its worship is Meru Pucak Pangelengan that is a temple building with 9 multistoried roofs. Pitara God is a holy soul deity of ancestor who is also referred as the other names of Hyang Pitara or Dewa Hyang. Pitara God is obliged to be worshiped by Clan Heir (Prati Sentana) in the form of temple ceremony which the same meaning as by the ceremony to the god. The worshiping existence to Pitara God in Taman Ayun Temple can be searched and proved by pursuant to the existence of temple building which lay in by consecution in east which is called Paibon that is representing special temple. Taman Ayun Temple in capacities or its status as special altar for the King family of Mengwi Palace or as a Merajan Agung from Mengwi King Families specially for the founder of Mengwi Empire that is I Gusti Agung Putu.

   

Sources: http://www.balistarisland.com/Bali-Interesting-Place/Taman-Ayun-Temple.htm

Images: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Taman_Ayun_Temple, 

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