Taman Ayun Temple

Taman Ayun, means beautiful garden, located in the village of Mengwi, 18km west of Denpasar, is indeed one of Bali’s most picturesque temples. The King of Mengwi, I Gusti Agung Anom, built is stately proportioned courtyards and large surrounding moat in the year 1634. Containing both the Royal family ancestral shrines and the strayed MERU shrines to the major deities, Taman Ayun became the main temple for the ancient Kingdom of Mengwi.

This magnificent compound of Taman Ayun Temple is positioned on an island in a river. The innermost temple is an addition that is surrounded by a moat. A large fountain basin is erected beyond a split gate (candi bentar); in front of the entrance to the inner temple. The fountain basin is devoted to the rulers of the underworld. The innermost courtyard that can be entered through a covered gate (candi korung), comprises of 27 buildings of varying size and function

The importance of the temple can be judged not only from the fact that the place includes divinities but also from the range of devotess who visit the temple during the time of festivals. At the far end in the right hand corner there is an eleven-tiered MERU which is dedicated to the rice goddess Dewi Sri. On the left side is placed the third bale and which is believed to be the domicile of numerous different gods.