Taman Ayun Temple of Bali is also called ‘Pura Taman Ayun’ and Mother Temple. This temple is the most visited temple of Bali, it is located in Mengwi village and is about 18 Km north of Denpasar town. This is one of the six royal temples of Bali because it is a family temple of Mengwi Empire. The temple was built in the 17th century by King Tjokorda Sakti Blambangan. The meaning of Taman Ayun is ‘Garden Temple in the Water’. It comprises sophisticated architectural designs inspired by Chinese architectural characters. The temple was built as a symbol of unity between the king and the Mengwi people.
No one can go inside the main temple area, which is locked and surrounded by a canal. As it is designed like a gallery one can look inside and take pictures from over the wall. Beautiful row of pagodas, about 11 stories in height called Meru (multi-tiered shrines), are within the site. The Balinese ancient scriptures describe that the architectural representation of the Taman Ayun temple denotes the mythological story of Mount Mahameru churning of sea of milk and hence the formation of the three cosmological forms.
There are several courtyards and some additional temples inside these courtyards. Inside, near the entrance is a small guardian shrine and on the right is a large ‘wantilan’ hall where the communal gatherings take place. A tall fountain with spouts jutting up and out to the cardinal directions can be seen in this area. East of this court is a small temple called Pura Dalem Bekak. Eight meter-high wooden bell tower known as Bale Kulkul is on the Western side. In 2012, UNESCO declared this temple as a world cultural tourism site.
The architecture and general approach of temple design in Bali is so different and yet so familiar. One can always feel the special bond of people with Hinduism and with Bharat, especially when the concepts of Meru and Kshirsagar are manifested in temple design.
