Taman Ayun, the Water Temple at Mengwi, is very attractive, peaceful place. Built on rising grass slopes and partly surrounded by a wide moat, it is spacious and almost trim in a way that is nit very characteristic of Balinese temples. As if to establish this garden-like quality, there is a pool with fountain in it on the left as you enter the first compound.

In the second compound, in the bottom left-hand corner, is small tower that can be climb; the top provides a good viewpoint for photos of the temple and its watery surrounds. Immediately below, gnarled frangipani trees exhibit their fabulous blossoms.

The last or inner court contains ten very fine meru, the tall tiered towers thatched in black ijuk, a fiber derived from the sago palm. The number of tiers is always uneven, as with tiers on the cremation towers. Here the tallest have 11.

The inner court also contain a fine stone padmasana, in effect a giant and highly ornate chair on which it is hoped unseen supreme God will deign to sit on days of high festival. The back of the chair is oriented toward Mt.Agung. Also notable is an ornate brick and stone shrine with thatched roof on the left. At the corner of each base is a carving of Garuda attacking Naga. The entire inner court is surrounded by a miniature walled moat that echoes the great moat that nearly encircles the temple as a whole.

To the left of the upper part of Taman Ayun is lush, overgrown area, abandoned to nature and silent except for the chirping of insect. It is a place for the poetic moment and for thought such as that somewhere, somehow it may be possible to be happy. With its spaciousness and lily-covered waters, Taman Ayun is itself naturally host to such thoughts.

Interested to visit Taman Ayun Temple, please book our tour package Tanah Lot Sunset Tour and enjoy the Bali countryside atmosphere and spectacular sunset at Tanah Lot Temple.