Situated on a hill between Tirtagangga Water Palace and Bebandem, about 87 km to the east of Denpasar and 7 km away from Amlapura City stands the village of Budakeling overlooking the east coast of Bali with Mount Agung towering majestically in the background. Budakeling is wellknown among Balinese for its high priests especially from the Buda sect. but for the visitors Budakeling is a village of farmers, artists and craftsmen – from dancers and painters, to stone sculptors and engravers of Sanskrit lontar manuscripts.

Budakeling is one of few Balinese old villages; the establishment of this village can be traced back to the 15th century during the reign of King Waturenggong in Bali. The king wanted to held a grand ceremony, and one of the requirements of the ceremony is that a high priest of Buda sect have to officiate the ceremony along with the high priest of Siwa sect; so Danghyang Astapaka, a high priest of Buda sect which also brother of royal priest Danghyang Nirartha was summoned form East Java to officiate the ceremony. After the ceremony was over, the King offered a piece of land to Danghyang Astapaka as a reward. Danghyang Astapaka saw an illuminating ray came from a piece of land in the northeast, so he requested that piece of land as a reward. The king fulfilled his request, and Danghyang Astapaka established the village of Budakeling on that land.

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Discover Bali’s ultimate number one holiday destination the fabulous Tirta Ayu Hotel (which means lovely waters). Located within the beautiful, secure 22-acre grounds of Bali’s most treasured Royal Water Palace at Tirtagangga and situated in the Karangasem Regency of East Bali which is overlooked by Mount Agung. Views of the surrounding countryside are blessed with some of the most amazing rice terraces with the warm crystal clear ocean in the distance.

At Tirta Ayu Hotel guest can enjoy being treated like Gods and Goddesses with first class royal treatment, be pampered and experience total relaxation.

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Holy water and veiled green

The last king of East Bali had two beautiful water-palaces layed out during his reigning period. By the eruption of the Gunung Agung in 1963, which involved earthquakes throughout the east region, the palaces were largely destroyed. In recent years however, they both have been renovated and rebuilt.

Tirtagangga Water Garden

On the slope of the Gunung Agung amidst ricefields you will find Tirtagangga. The water-palace is situated around a natural well of which the water is held to be holy. Five water-basins, fountains and statues from hindu-culture rend the gardens the atmosphere of an open air museum. And whether it is on the account of the water or not, with an abundance of veiled green and blossom the gardens breathe a serene quietness that borders upon spirituality.

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Tirtagangga Water Garden is situated in the middle of rice fields around the natural springs of Rejasa, at Ababi village, Karangasem regency. It is about 83 km from Denpasar and 6 km from Amlapura to the north. Tirtagangga water gardens are composed mainly by water, gardens and sculptures. The name of this water garden comes from Tirta (holy water) and Gangga (Ganges). The late King of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, built Tirtagangga water garden in 1948.

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This water garden was constructed in a unique mixture of Balinese, European, and Chinese architecture. Much of the structure of the palace was destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Gunung Agung in 1963; however, the famous bathing pools remain intact. The renovation of this beautiful water garden was initiated by the royal family of Karangasem and supported by the local government. By the end of 1985, the upper swimming pool was rehabilitated. Little by little, the water garden is coming into a better shape. Nowadays Tirtagangga is an important tourism destination in east Bali.

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