The Gate of Heaven and Water Palace Tour

Duration: one day (approx 10hours)
Pick up time: 4.30am
Distance: 95 km
Places to Visit:

• THE GATE OF HEAVEN LEMPUYANG TEMPLE
  The establishment of places of worship around Mount Lempuyang is believed to predate the majority of Hindu temples on the island of Bali. The puras of Mount Lempuyang, represented by Pura Lempuyang Luhur, the highest temple in the area, is grouped one complex of pura which represents the Pura Sad Kahyangan Luhur Lempuyang. The temple groups are considered as part of the Sad Kahyangan Jagad, or the “six sanctuaries of the world”, the six holiest places of worship on Bali. According to Balinese beliefs, they are the pivotal points of the island and are meant to provide spiritual balance to Bali. The temple groups of Mount Lempuyang is also one of the group of temples in Bali known as Pura Kahyangan Padma Bhuwana. Each of the temple in the Pura Kahyangan Padma Bhuwana marked each of the eight cardinal directions. Pura Lempuyang Luhur represents the direction of east (purwa) and the color white. This direction is associated with the domain of Balinese the god Iswara. Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang was restored in 2001 well known for tourist as The Gate of Heaven
  Pura Penataran Agung is located on the slope of Mount Lempuyang 600 meters (2,000 ft) high above sea level. Mount Lempuyang, also known as Mount Lempuyang Luhur, is one of the most sacred natural points in Bali. The whole Lempuyang mountain was divided into three section which corresponds to the Balinese cosmology, the base of the mountain is known as Sang Ananta Bhoga and corresponds to the mount of Brahma, the middle part of the mountain is known as Sang Naga Basukih and corresponds to mount of Vishnu, while the top of the mountain is known as Sang Naga Taksaka and is considered as mount of Shiva. The sacred-most point of Mount Lempuyang is where the Pura Lempuyang Luhur is built. Pura Penataran Agung, also known as Pura Silawana Hyang Sar, is located in the middle part of the mountain; while at the base of the mountain, the Pura Dalem Dasar Lempuyang is built.Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang is oriented toward the top of Mount Lempuyang. The temple compound is divided into three areas: the outer sanctum of the temple (jaba pisan or nistaning mandala), the middle sanctum (jaba tengah or madya mandala), and the inner main sanctum (jero or utamaning mandala). Entrance to the outer sanctum (jaba pisan) is marked with a white-painted candi bentar split gate. Several bale (Balinese pavilions) are located in the outer sanctum, one of them is the rectangular bale gong (“gong pavilion”) where the gamelans are stored. Another bale in this courtyard is the bale kulkul where the percussive drum to call for prayer is placed. Entrance to the middle sanctum (jaba tengah) is marked with three white-painted paduraksa portals. The entrance to the left is used for entry, while the entrance to the right is used for exit. The central door is usually closed and is only opened during the pura’s main festival e.g. the biannual piodalan festival. The central portal is where sacred objects, heirloom, and offerings could pass during festival time. All three flight of stairs which lead to the paduraksa portals is flanked with mythical figures of Naga. Sculptures inspired by the epic of Ramayana, e.g. of Arjuna, Bima, and Yudhistira dots the landscape of the stair climb. On the uppermost level of these is the statue of Krishna, the worldly form of Vishnu.The uppermost inner sanctum (jero) is the most sacred courtyard of the Balinese temple. The courtyard of Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang features several meru towers and pelinggih shrines each dedicated to different gods and local deities. Several padmasana shrines in the shape of empty stone thrones, each are dedicated to the highest god of Hindu pantheon e.g. the Sang Hyang Widhi and the gods of the Trimurti.
• TIRTHA GANGGA
  Tirta Gangga literally means water from the Ganges and it is a site of some reverence for the Hindu Balinese. Strictly, the name refers to the water palace built in 1948 by the Raja of Karangasem, Anak Agung Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem. It is, however, the name widely used to refer to the general area which includes the water palace and the lush rural areas around. Tirta Gangga water palace is a maze of pools and fountains surrounded by a lush garden and stone carvings and statues. The one hectare complex was built in 1946 by the late King of Karangsem but was destroyed almost entirely by the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963. It has been lovingly re-built and restored and has an air of authentic royal magnificence. The centerpiece of the palace is an eleven tiered fountain and there are many beautiful carvings and statues adorning the gardens. The area around Tirta Gangga is noted for its rice paddy terraces.
• TAMAN UJUNG WATER PALACE
  Taman Ujung Water Palace, which by the local people is called as Taman Soekasada Ujung, was built in 1919 the launching of this complex of water palace was performed in 1912 and inaugurated in 1921 by the King of Karangasem which at first used for resting place and for entertaining important guests such as kings or the Chief Executive foreigners who visited the kingdom of Karangasem. The invasion of the Netherlands in 1908 where the regents status under the Dutch colonial and the King of karangasem given powers to regulate regional and wealth. I Gusti Bagus Jelantik then titled Ida Anak Agung Anglurah Karangasem was the last king who ruled the East Bali from 1909 until1945. The King of Karangasem on this period was the architect of Ujung Water Palace.Ujung Water Palace is a beautiful park with big fish pond surrounds the old Karangasem Empire heritage building which is used by the Karangasem’s King for day relaxation or meeting place in their era. It is located in Ujung Countryside about 5 Km from Amlapura town. This park is originally met one pool only which is very Ghostlike and very secret called by Di Dirah and this pool at the period of I Gusti Gede Putu King (1849-1893) governance with his brother of Gede Oka (1849-1890) that the around of this pool is functioned as place of exile for the man who alleged to run the black magic (leak). At the period of I Gusti Bagus Jelantik governance which start to lead the Karangasem Kingdom in the year 1909, this pool area is extended and developed by some pools and also luxury building Bale Gili with European style (modern style), later then it is given the name called Taman Sukasada / Sukasada Park Ujung Karangasem and known as a Ujung Water Palace, that is estimate made in the year of twentieth.Ujung Water Palace is strategically located in the coastal side, south part of Karangasem town and founding a lot of wellspring around the area. If seen from the history aspect, most of all omissions from Karangasem Empire both for Lombok Island and also exist in Bali, altogether area consisted by the pool and Gili building which is exist in the middle of pool like Mayura and Narmada Park which are existing in west part of Lombok Island.On the most tip of the highest level of this complex of Ujung Water Palace, we will find a great statue of “warak” (rhinoceros). Beneath the warak there is a Bull statue. From this high place we will see a marvelous view of sea, hills with lush and green forest, the beauty of Mount Agung combined with the green terraced rice fields.The greatness of Ujung Water Palace had been destructed by the explosion of Mount Agung in 1963 which was made worst by the great shake happened in 1979. However, the recovery effort had been performed to bring back the glory of this complex of water palace by holding a reconstruction and revitalization project on it. Although it is not as great as it was, the amaze of the past still can be seen here this moment.We can say that this Ujung Water Palace as a mascot of tourist destinations in east part of Bali because Sukasada Park has been recognized until foreign countries since twenty’s year and more famous again in the year of thirtieth when all foreign tourist start to pay a visit to Bali. King of Karangasem I Gusti Bagus Jelantik who is known as Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem is a Statesman, Man of letters as well as an architect. He has created a lot of building not even in the form of park but he also done some building which are exist in Puri Agung Karangasem (Karangasem Palace) like gateway which is looking like pagoda.Taman Ujung Water Palace Location:Ujung Water Palace is located in Ujung Countryside lies at Tumbu village, south part of Karangasem regency or about 2, hours from Bali’s International Airport. From Denpasar Town, we have to take the highway of Ida Bagus Matra’s Street and go to the east part of Bali until arrive at Karangasem town. The journey will take about 2 hours and turn right to the south part of Karangasem town. Ujung Water Palace is right located in the coastal side with beautiful old building and the right place to visit during your vacation in Bali.
• KUSAMBA VILLAGE TRADITIONAL SALT MAKER
  Salt farming in Kusamba, Bali is a centuries-old tradition where farmers use traditional technique to produce 100% natural salt by sun and wind evaporation. Located on a volcanic black-sand beach in East Bali, Kusamba is about an hour’s drive east from Sanur. The village earned its reputation as a traditional fishing village and natural salt production in Bali. Despite the intensive process of sea salt making, Kusamba’s salt farmers live in modest huts on the beach with shiny-black and mineral-rich sand. There are about 30 group of local people who earn their livings as salt farmers in Kusamba

Gallery