Bedugul

Bedugul – Bali Botanic Garden, Beratan Lake, and Candi Kuning

Bedugul is a cool mountain area in Bali. Bedugul located about two hours drive from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. Bedugul has many beautiful tourism objects and facilities; even you will see beautiful sights along your journey to this location. The Eka Karya Botanical Garden (the only botanical garden in Bali) located in Bedugul area.

 

Bali Botanic Garden – story

In 1958 senior Balinese officials requested the Department now called the Centre for Biological Research within the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, to consider establishing a botanic garden with the dual roles of research institute and recreation park. On 15 July 1959 Bali Botanic Garden was officially established on the slopes of Tapak Hill, Candi kuning village an altitude of 1250-1400 m. Bali Botanic Garden then named as Kebun Raya “Eka Karya” Bali. Eka Karya refer to this being the first Indonesian Botanic Garden to have been established following Indonesian independence and thus the first to have been established entirely by Indonesian.

Bali Botanic Garden was originally established as a collection of species of conifer (non-flowering seed plants, or Gymnosperms) from throughout the world, and as a place for recreation. It was also equipped for scientific, cultural and technical activities.

Development stopped around 1965 because of insecurity of periods. Nearly on 1970, the garden began to be gradually rehabilitated. On 30 April 1975 the restoration was completed and as part of this area was increased to 129.2 Ha. The functions broadened from primarily a collection of conifers to include ex-situ conservation of plants from high altitude of eastern Indonesia.

As at 1998, the Bali Botanic Garden covered an area of 154.5 Ha, and in 2001 the area was increased again to become 157.5 Ha. Some of the special collections include: orchids, ceremonial plants, medicinal plants, cactus, ferns, aquatic plants and trees.

The four main functions of Bali Botanic Garden are: exploration, inventory and research; conservation; recreation; and education. The institution offers a number of scientific services and facilities in support of plant research and conservation, including herbarium, seed bank, library, glasshouses, nursery, and plant database.

Beratan Lake at Bedugul

Beratan Lake is a shallow lake with the high caldera about 1231m above sea level and it is located at Bedugul, the famous tourist destinations in Bali. This lake has 3,8 km2 wide and also its deepness is up to 22 meters. Tourist can access the Beratan Lake through the dock that have been provided or desist around Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. In this place, the visitor can do various activities. The various water recreation activities can also be conducted here, for example riding the boat, parasailing, canoeing with the traditional boat, banana boating, and water skiing. Fishing activities are also available in this place for the one who love fishing in the lake.

Beratan Lake is situated in the plateau area with cool atmosphere surround it. It is an ideal place for relaxation while enjoy the beautiful panorama of lake. The accommodations are also available in this area where is the perfect place for overnight stay, resting and enjoy the beautiful panoramic. The small scales of agriculture activities are likely conducted around this lake and can be perceived at the same time circle around it. If we encircle it, we can take photograph with the beautiful background view or make the picture sketch face in painting mini studio at the lakeside with a short time as a souvenir.

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is located in the village of Candi Kuning, Beratan Lake. Temple is located on the shores of Lake Beratan, its name taken from the lake.A glimpse of history Ulun Danu Beratan can be known based on archaeological data and historical data contained in the lontar (manuscript ) of Mengwi chronicle.

Archaeological Data. On the front yard to the left of Ulun Danu Beratan temple contained a sarcophagus and a stone board, which is derived from the megalithic tradition, around 500 BC. Both artifacts are now placed above each terrace. It can be expected that the location where Ulun Danu Beratan composed, have been used as a place to held ritual activities since the megalithic era.

Data In Mengwi Chronicle, Lontar Babad Mengwi implicitly describes that I Gusti Agung Putu as the founder of the kingdom Mengwi Built the temple on the edge of Lake Beratan, before he established the Pura Taman Ayun. Based upon the description in the Lontar Chronicle Mengwi, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple founded before the 1556 saka, by I Gusti Agung Putu.

Candi Kuning Bedugul

Candi Kuning is a traditional vegetable, fruit, and various plants market located at Bedugul, which can be reached only in a few minutes from the lake. Various fruit type, vegetables and also mace can be bought here with many choices.