Taman Ayun Temple
Taman Ayun temple is located in Mengwi village, about 18 km from Denpasar, Built in the early 17th century, the temple that surrounded by pond and a series of garden terrace leads to its center, It was the main temple of Mengwi Kingdom which remained powerful until 1891 when it was conquered by Tabanan Kingdom and Badung Kingdom. The temple was originally built in 1634 and extensively renovated in 1937. the first courtyard is a large open grassy expanse and the inner courtyard has a multitude of multi tiered shrines (meru) and there are shrines to the holy mountain Agung, Batur and Batukaru.
Taman Ayun Temple has an area of 100 x 250 m2, including four different courtyards. The first is called ‘Jaba’ or the Outer Court – it is only accessible by a single entrance via a bridge over the pond. In the first courtyard, there is a small guardian shrine and a large “cluttered” hall that the local community often uses to gather. Next, you will be greeted by a tall fountain and a large canopy with decorative details and reliefs representing the 9 deities guarding the cardinal points in the second courtyard. Finally, the third courtyard of the complex is the highest and is considered the most sacred place. It is called Mandala Utama – richly decorated gate that is opened only during certain ceremonies. Taman Ayun literally means “A beautiful garden”, which strongly represents the situation of the super beautiful temple – surrounded by many multi-storey shrines dedicated to different gods, a canopy garden nice leaves, a prayer hut on the roof and canals. Unsurprisingly, this is the last place people usually flock to for peace and serenity.
