Bali is world-famous for its beautiful beaches and ancient temples. For our second trip to Bali, my wife and I decided to opt for something different and visit the Tirta Gangga Water Palace instead.

Tirta Gangga literally translates to "water from the Ganges." It is a former royal palace in eastern Bali, Indonesia, located about 83 kilometers from Denpasar and close to Abang. The one-hectare complex was constructed in 1946 by the late King of Karangsem, but it was nearly completely destroyed in 1963 by the eruption of adjacent Mount Agung.

Tirta Gangga is based on Balinese Hinduism's concept that the Ganges River and its waters are sacred. Its waters are prized for irrigation, agricultural, recreational, and economic activities. Today Tirta Gangga still maintained its historical significance as a pilgrimage and holy water site for the Balinese.

Tirta Gangga Water Palace Bali has a labyrinth of pools and fountains, surrounded by lush gardens and a plethora of stone carvings and statues.

Two teratati (lotus) ponds are located at the bottom portion of the Water Place.

The famous stepping stones of Tirta Gangga.

Tourist feeding fish at the pond. The fish food can be bought at the entrance.

A close-up view of the water fountain.

A beautifully landscaped path separates the two ponds. The stepping stones are in the pond on the left.

Beautiful flowers can be found all over the garden.

A small bridge crossing the pond.

The stone cravings and statutes add an air of mystery to the pool.

A swimming pool is found at the center of the Palace. Locals can be found bathing here as part of a religious ritual.

The last component of the Palace is the gardens with small pools which are considered as the resting place for the Kings.

Although this attraction is not as famous as other sights but is still worth a visit. The Palace is not that big, you can easily allocate around 3 hours to walk around and enjoy the sights. Please note it can be scorching hot here during mid-noon and afternoon and there is not a lot of shade here. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped by a beach at Abang.