Pura Taman Ayun

A hundred meters east of the crossroads lies the fabulous state temple of Mengwi, Pura Taman Ayun. Taman Ayun refers to a huge open space (ayun) representing a garden (taman). It was constructed under Cokorda Munggu around 1740, and was restored and enlarged in 1937. It “floats,” as it were, surrounded by a moat with lotuses. This represents the heavens, where divine nymphs and ancestors relax in floating pavilions and enjoy themselves. At present, one may row round the sanctuary in a little rented boat.

The temple consists of a forecourt, a central court and a spacious inner court. A tall stone gateway with wooden doors leads into it. The inner court has rows of shrines on the north and east sides, and carved stone pedestals with wooden pavilions to the west The total number of structures is 27.

Apart from the divine ancestor of the dynasty, the mountains so important to Mengwi (Agung Batur, Batukaru, Pengelengan) are represented here by means of shrines with slender tiered roofs in the north and the east. Replicas of temples founded by the rulers of Mengwi atop these mountains (Pura Pucak) and bordering the sea (Pura Ulun Siwi), and of state temples built by former Mengwi rulers (Pura Sada, Pura Bekak) are to be found as well.

The basement of a pavilion in which the brahman priest prepares holy water during temple festivals (bale pawedan) is provided with a relief series on Arjuna, who meditated to receive a grant from the gods and was tested by means of nymphs who tried to seduce him. A recent addition is a colorful painting on the wooden wall of the bale murda paviion. The barong from Seseh is displayed here during its visit to the temple a month after Galungan. It represents Siwa's demonic soil Kala, who after having stolen the magic elixir (amreta), is chased by the host of gods.