A new cultural museum has opened its doors in East Bali, and international tourists are encouraged to visit.
The new Asta Gangga Museum is located in Ababi Village in East Bali and is ideal for tourists who want to learn more about Bali’s incredible culture.
At the Asta Gangga Museum, located within the Tirta Gangga Palace Complex, tourists can explore the collection of Balinese artifacts, cultural objects, and historical gems.
The museum’s collection includes skordi cloth, the lion king’s songket cloth, and ten heirloom keris that are the legacy of the King of Karangasem.
The attraction has also just celebrated the unveiling of a new statue depicting the 14th King of Karangasem, Anak Agung Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, as the founder of Tirta Gangga Park in 1946.
Born in 1908 and passing away in 1948, the legacy of the King of Karangasem lives on, and his work is being amplified further and brought to new audiences.
The new attractions at the Tirta Gangga Park, including the Statue of the King of Karangasem, the Asta Gangga Museum, and the new Bale Lunjuk (an exhibition area), which now complete the Tirta Gangga tourist attraction, were inaugurated on the Balinese holy day of Purnama Kanem, Redite Umanis Menail, which fell on Sunday 15th December.
Speaking to reporters, the Head of the Tirtagangga Tourism Object Management Agency, Anak Agung (AA) Made Kosalia, explained, “Visitors now have more objects to take pictures or selfies. In addition, they can also learn about the history of the establishment of Tirta Gangga Park.”
He explained that the Statue of the King of Karangasem is displayed on the second floor of Bale Lunjuk.
The stunning statue is 3.20 meters high and made entirely of copper. Kosalia was delighted to share that visitors can enjoy the beauty of Tirta Gangga and learn about the founder of the iconic park and palace complex.
Kosalia said, “The Tirta Gangga Park tourist attraction has long been famous, but with the presence of the museum and the statue of the King of Karangasem, it will be an added value, and it is hoped that more visitors will come and have an impact on the surrounding objects.”
Tirta Gangga, which means ‘water – tirta’ and is named after the holy River Ganges in India, was almost destroyed in the Mount Agung eruption of 1963, but over the years, it has been rebuilt, restored, and redeveloped. As the site has grown in size, it has also grown in interest in terms of tourists.
The site is truly magical and gives tourists the chance to understand how the ancient Balinese culture is still being tended to and is evolving in the modern day.
Built within the last 100 years, compared to many of Bali’s oldest temples, palaces, and heritage sites, Tirta Gangga is practically a new build!
East Bali, especially Karangasem Regency, has so much to offer tourists. Travel data shows that East Bali as a region is favored more so by domestic tourists than international holidaymakers.
Tourism leaders in the area want to see that change and are encouraging tourists from Australia, Europe, the US, and beyond to explore more of what Bali has to offer outside of the resorts of the central south.
The Chairman of the Karangasem Hotel and Restaurant Association spoke with reporters this week to share his hopes for a successful Christmas and New Year in East Bali.
Wayan Kariasa said, “Occupancy is still 50 percent; starting 20th December, domestic tourists will enter, and occupancy will increase until the new year. By the end of 2024, I am optimistic that occupancy will reach 75 percent.”
Tourists looking for a last-minute, affordable, and most importantly, crowd-free and culturally inspiring vacation in Bali this festive season should start searching for hotels in East Bali…our fave is Candidasa!
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