Pura Ulun Danau Bratan on the shores of Lake Bratan is one of Balis kayangan jagat (directional temples) and protects Bali from evil spirits from the NW. For tourists visiting Bali, Pura Ulun Danau Bratan is a convenient temple to visit and a pleasant place for a rest stop.
Located 2 hours north of Kuta, Pura Ulun Danau Bratan in in the Bedugal area, a common directional indicator used by locals when referring to the area of the 3 western mountain lakes.
•History
Pura Ulun Danau Bratan was built in 1633 by the raja of Mengwi on the western shore of lake Bratan. The Balinese people rely on their rice harvest and the Goddess of water / fertility, Dewi Danu is the deity who is honored here.
Temple design
The temple itself sits in well manicured gardens and attracts local and foreign visitors. The 2 obvious part of the temple are the structures set on land and the ones set on a point, extending into the lake.
The temples grounds have an assortment of structures including the multi-tiered meru. These pagoda-shaped shrines which are found in almost every Balinese temple, are named after Mt. Meru, a sacred Hindu peak, considered the home of the Gods. The importance of the God being worshiped is indicated by the number of roofs, which is always an odd number, with a maximum of 13.
Bali Botanical Gardens: Candikuning
A ride to to Bedugal can take a pleasant side track in Candi Kuning. The Bali Botanical Gardens are located to the west of the main road, and are accessed by turning left at the corn knob statue, and heading down a small side road, just south of the market area.
The Bali Botanical Gardens, also known as Kebun Raya Eka Karya Bali, and covers 154 hectares. The gardens, or more accurately, forest, contain 1,753 plant species.
The Bali Botanical Gardens is owned by the Forestry Deparrment and is run by the Institute of Sciences. On the site of the park are 3 temples, Pura Teratai Bang, Pura Giri Putri and Pura Batumeringgit. There is also a library and herbarium for studing the plants of the area.
A guide booklet is sold at the entrance to the park for $3. It contains details of 6 guided walks you can take. There is guide information about the 100 bird species here and walking around with a Balinese guide, you will learn about the plants used in traditional Balinese rituals and ceremonies.
Bali Botanical Gardens is open daily from 8am-4pm
Pura Taman Ayun
Pura Taman Ayun was built by I Gusti Agung Anom, the founder of the Mengwi kingdom, a powerful kingdom in the district of Mengwi, in central Bali, until 1891. I Gusti Agung Anom was also the builder of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan. He established Pura Taman Ayun in 1634, when he moved his palace from Balahayu to Mengwi. The name Pura Taman Ayun means the "Temple of the Beautiful Gardens." The date of construction is carved on the door with chronogram reading "Sad Bhuta Yaksa Dewa", meaning 1634AD.
The eleven-storey meru are replicas of the original at difference sacred sites around Bali. They enable the people of Mengwi to worship at the replica without the expense and trouble of traveling to the original.
The temple is a penyawangan, or place to worship other sacred sites, with shrines to worship Bali's mountain peaks of Agung, Batukau and Batur, as well as shrine to Pura Sada, another important temple in Mengwi.
The temple was restored and enlarged in 1937. The gates, split gates and walls were renovated in 1949, and a pavillion, called bale bengong was added. In 1972, the black fiber roofs were replaced, and in 1976, a pavillion tower, called bale kulkul was added.
Pura Taman Ayun consists of a forecourt, a central court and a spacious inner court. The temple is surrounded by a moat with lotuses, giving it the feel of a garden sanctuary. Beyond the moat, the temple lies on a slightly raised ground. A tall stone gateway separates the forecourt from the central court, while the inner court is surrounded by a stone wall. Frangipanni are grown in profusion all around the wall. Within the inner court are merus, dedicated to various deities and spirits. In total, there are 50 shrines and pavillions in the temple complex.
