"Water Palace" Bali Off The Beaten Path Tip by kyoub

Tirtagangga, meaning “holy water of the Ganges” in Balinese, is one of the world's most romantic and timeless gardens. Gushing springs flowing from beneath an ancient Banyan tree and holy temple fill the myriad reflecting and swimming pools that grace the Water Palace. The prominent 11-tiered lotus fountain has become the symbol for Tirtagangga since its creation by the late Raja of Karangasem in 1948.

After a tour of the Versailles Palace in France, the Raja was inspired to create this, his second Water Palace in the mountains overlooking his kingdom. The waters of the holy spring have been praised by island healers for their healing and youth giving powers. Thus the Raja named them after the holy river Ganges in India which is famous for these qualities. It is said that if one bathes in the waters of Tirtagangga on the full moon one is blessed with lasting youth and all illnesses will be healed. Tirtagangga is the "Fountain of Youth" of Bali.
A guide will show you around the grounds and explain how it was almost distroyed by the melting lava from the volcano.