During the Dutch conflict at the turn of the century, the Raja of Karangasem cooperated with the European army and was allowed to ...
During the Dutch conflict at the turn of the century, the Raja of Karangasem cooperated with the European army and was allowed to retain his title and autocratic powers. Puri Kanginan, the palace where the last raja was born, s a 20th century eclectic creation of designs from Europe, China and Bali. The main building with a large veranda is called “Bale London” because the furniture bears the central motif of the Royal Crest of England. The wooden paneling appears to be Chinese work, while Ramayana reliefs, on the adjacent tooth filling pavilion, retain a Balinese flavor. The photograph over the entrance to Bale London portrays the late king, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut. It was his pleasure to make fantastic moats and pools. Eighth km (5 miles) south, on the beach at Ujung, he helped design a moated water palace, opened in 1921.
Unfortunately, two earthquakes in 1963 and another in 1978 destroyed most of the standing structures. The lack of funds has kept it in ruins. In 1948, he built Tirtagangga (6 km/4 miles) north on the road to Culik) as a retreat, with a series of pools decorated with unusual statuary. Tirtagangga, with its commanding hilltop view of the surrounding rice fields and its isolation, is a wonderful place to spend a few days. Accommodations and fare are simple, but the mountain air and the fresh-fed swimming pools are refreshing. A recently built road leads from Ujung up to Seraya, a village perched on the slopes of Mount Seraya (1.175 m/3.855 ft), offering a fabulous view of Lombok. If you continue on this road, you will come to Made (but his is a long and tortuous drive), a small fishing village that also has excellent snorkeling.
Description
Tirta Gangga is a beautiful park with the huge water fountain and wide pond located at Abang Sub-district, Karangasem Regency in east part of Bali. Tirta Gangga Park is built in the year of 1948 by the Karangasem King of Anak Agung Agung Angluerah Ketut Karangasem.
Before this park is found, there is big wellspring found in this area which the local society believe that this water come from the land is holy spring therefore they call this place is Embukan means wellspring. According to the local believe that this wellspring functioning as a bath place for the god and also used as drinking water for the local community from the nearest village.
Therefore this wellspring is sacrificed by local people and keeps the park naturally. The King of Karangasem has got an idea to improve this park into a good looking and nowadays, it becomes one of the famous tourist destinations in east part of Bali. Tirta Gangga Park is also featured by the wide public pool with the cool and clean water where it can be used by everyone who visiting this place. It is situated on the foot Abang Hill with cool temperature in particular night time or morning time.
The lush tropical garden are well surround the park and big fish ponds are running away at another ponds to give the impression for every tourist who pay a visit to this beautiful park. Some buildings and other decorations are intentionally made as according to the spirit from Puri Agung Karangasem (Agung Karangasem Palace), so it can be said that between Tirta Gangga Park and Sukasada Park (Taman Sukasada) which is located at Ujung countryside is a union.
Tirtagangga Water Garden scratches on a 1,2 Hectare area, which consists of three complexes. The first complex lies on the lowest level of this area, where we can find two ponds and a water tower. The second complex in the middle level is the location where we can find swimming pools; while in the third part, which is the main complex, we can find the rest house of the King. Before the construction of the water garden, there was a big spring water in this area
