Taman Ayun Temple Built in 1634, the temple is the only temple complex exposing the Balinese traditional building structure, called Meru. Taman Ayun, means beautiful garden, located in the village of Mengwi, 18km west of Denpasar, is indeed one of Bali’s most picturesque temples. Containing a shrine for the worship of the ancestors of the Royal family and a Meru-shaped temple for the worship of the main gods, Taman Ayun is the main temple of the ancient Mengwi Kingdom. The temple is surrounded with its beautiful lotus garden. The whole temple complex seemingly pictures the Mount Mahameru floating on a milk pond. Its stately proportioned courtyards and large surrounding moat were built in the year 1634 by the King of Mengwi, I Gusti Agung Anom. Every 210 days, on Tuesday Kliwon Medangsia (according to the traditional Icaka Calender), the entire lokal populace gathers at the temple to worship, celebrating the temple’s anniversary. The Pura Taman Ayun complex is divided ...
Bali People and Life Style Bali’s population of over 3,000,000 souls spread over the whole island, including those in the smaller islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, Serangan and Menjangan Island. The overwhelming majority of Balinese are Hindus, with the increasing number on non-Hindu migrating from the closest neighboring islands of Java and Lombok. The coastal areas in the south are the most populous area with over 370,000 people living in various professions in the capital of Denpasar. Farming has been the primary way of living in Balinese life. Where else fishing, trading and craftsmanship are also in fashion from generation to generation. Yet with the fast growing of tourism since past few decades, young people start to build up a new touch in their living culture. Life in Bali is very communal under the organization of villages. Temple ceremonies, marriage, cremation, farming and even the creative art festivals are decided by the local comm...