Karangasem, On the Wallace Line

Puri Gede Karangasem, Opened to Visitors

Owner of Puri Gede, Amplapura, Karangasem, Drs. AAB Ngurah Agung has now completed the refurbishment of his royal palace. On being met not long ago, his party has spent not less than IDR 2 billion to take back the ‘foregoing’ grandiosity of the palace.

He admitted that he has been completely sincere and committed to spend such amount of money provided that the final result of the construction workers is satisfactory. He himself supervises their activity, without design plan, merely based on inspiration and his reminiscence on the description of the palace in the past like condition and architectural style of the candi bentar (split gate) or candi kurung (arched gate) of the palace.
Refurbishment of the palace that was founded in the 16th century AD remains to maintain its style as originally as possible. According to Ngurah Agung, the palace’s candi kurung has different style from that of other palaces in Bali. “It can be said that such building is the only one in Bali namely candi kurung with the height of 50 m and specially made of refined red brick,” he said.
Added, his party would like to take back the function of palace as the centre stage, learning the cultural heritage and Hinduism development. During the kingdom period in the past, the palace was known as centre of community activity in the religious and cultural domain. In order that the palace remains to have social function, Ngurah Agung is now providing an opportunity to children nearby to learn about a variety of arts and cultures freely.
For that purpose, the palace has now been equipped with numerous Balinese gamelan instruments consisting of gong and gender. Likewise, he is going to rearrange the royal heritages that have historical value as hundreds of palm-leaf manuscripts that carry science, kris dagger, spear and some other weapons belonging to royal soldiers. The palm-leaf manuscript heirloom is well set out in the royal library while miscellaneous relics in the royal museum.
The Assembly of Cultural Supervision of Karangasem Regency is given an office for its secretariat at Lembu Pavilion. Building that situated in the southwest corner of the palace is known as bencingah (royal outermost courtyard). The floor of this building is made high and furnished with large size kulkul (wooden split drum). “We are going to open this palace as a tourist object,” he said while adding that previously, Puri Kanginan (Karangasem Grand Palace) located some 50 m on the right side of it has become tourist object in Karangasem.
In addition, Ngurah Agung would like to revive the old tradition namely inviting the relatives, community either of Hindu or Muslim in Karangasem for social gathering in the palace. It is carried out to persistently maintain brotherhood and social relationship as has been done since the periods of yore. This Puri Gede is situated in the heart of Amplapura city, east of Jagatnatha Grand Temple. In Amlapura city lays as well a number of palatial complexes belonging to the descendants of ancient Karangasem kings. (BTN/budana)