Royal Temple of Mengwi (Pura Taman Ayun)
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Holy Place,
Religious Experience,
Temple
The Royal Temple of Mengwi is one of the most important temples in Bali. Built in 1634 by a King of the Mengwi dynasty, this impressive complex stands on an island in a river, its inner temple surrounded by a moat. Its Balinese name Pura Taman Ayun literally means ‘Garden Temple in the Water’.
Part of a network of directional temples that protect Bali from evil spirits, Pura Taman Ayun was built as a series of garden terraces with courtyards on different levels. The entire complex was designed to symbolize the mythological home of the gods, Mount Meru, floating in the sea of eternity.
An eleven-tiered meru (at the far end, in the right-hand corner of the complex) is dedicated to the rice goddess Dewi Sri. The third bale on the left is believed to be the abode of several different gods.
Pura Taman Ayun was enlarged in 1937, making some of its structures the most modern temple architecture in Bail.
Latest Reviews
Review by Lynne F, May 2013
Doing what: Bali Monkey Forest, Mengwi Temple and Tanah Lot Afternoon Tour
My guide Kana was really good and very knowledgeable, he made my trip memorable. The highlight for me was the rice fields, Mengwi temple and Tanah Lot, the monkey forest was small and unimpressive but the monkeys were cute. Overall a great day with some spectacular sights.
Review by Pierre Y D, USA, November 2012
Doing what: Bali Monkey Forest, Mengwi Temple and Tanah Lot Afternoon Tour
Wonderful!
Review by Graham G, July 2012
Doing what: Bali Monkey Forest, Mengwi Temple and Tanah Lot Afternoon Tour
The Monkey Forest element of this Tour was disappointing; its old and tired, the toilets stink (even though you pay) and being manipulated to buy souvenirs by a compulsorily assigned guide who owns the shop was distasteful in the extreme. OK the monkeys were cute and I got some good video but the staff were very pushy to get us to have pix taken with a bat and a snake! - sorry very tacky and again left a bad vibe. Overall The Monkey Forest is not recommended. HOWEVER I have given this Tour 5 stars for other reasons. What is not advertised - and it may have been our awesome guide - was that we were treated to a visit to a working farm with rice paddies and other crops and walked all through it where our guide showed us rice production in full detail. My wife loved this as she had not seen it before. We were then treated to some fried banana and other sweets by the lady of the farm - great stuff! The rice paddy excursion should be advertised as a highlight of this trip - not hidden! In addition the Mengwi Temple was awesome and very interesting (see pic) and the Tanah Lot visit also excellent! It was low tide (best if it is) so we could clamber over the rocks to the miracle holy water spring and were blessed by Monks - very cool!
Overall this turned out to be well over 5 hours by the time we got back to the Resort. Awesome Guide with great English. He also treated us to a visit to a local village temple where they were celebrating a holy day. And he took a detour to show us Kerobokan Prison - didn't have to. Now thats a great Guide and driver!
The Royal Temple of Mengwi is in the town of Mengwi directly north of Kuta and 18km (11mi) from Denpasar.
