Pura Taman Saraswati, often called the Ubud Water Palace, is a temple in the center of Ubud dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, literature and the arts. In a town known for painting, dance and craft, it is a fitting patron. Its approach is lined with ponds full of lotus, the flower most associated with the goddess.
The temple was built in 1951 and 1952, commissioned by the Prince of Ubud, Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati. Its design is by I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, the celebrated Balinese sculptor and ritual architect, and many of the soft volcanic-stone carvings along the path are his work. Inside, a lotus throne honors the supreme deity and a pavilion holds thrones for the Hindu trinity.
A straight walkway runs between the lotus ponds to red-brick gateways carved in fine detail, with frangipani trees overhanging the water. The setting is compact and easily reached on foot from Ubud's main street. Visitors usually view the outer courtyard and ponds, which are at their best in the morning when the lotuses open. Ubud Palace is a short walk away.
Highlights
- Lotus ponds and frangipani trees
- Carvings by I Gusti Nyoman Lempad
- Red-brick gateways
- Easy walk from central Ubud
Photos
Photos: Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited / Arabsalam · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
Good to know
- Visit in the morning to see the lotus flowers open and avoid the midday heat.
- Stay on the walkway and do not step onto the pond edges for photos.
- Combine it with nearby Ubud Palace and the art market.
On the map
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