Pura Taman Ayun has never forgotten by any sightseeing itinerary with the destination of west and north Bali. The temple is also used as a special place of events such as incentive program with Bali cultural night. With the temple architecture as background it is a real Balinese royal feast.

The establishment of Pura Taman Ayun is related to the development of Mengwi kingdom in 17th century. A manuscript describing the birth of Mengwi kingdom called " Babad Mengwi " gives a description that the founder of the kingdom I Gusti Ngurah Putu after succeeded in extending his emporium he built Ulun Danu temple on the bank of lake Beratan, than moved his palace from Balahayu to Mengwi and built Taman Ayun temple. The date of construction is expressed on a carved door with chronogram reads " Sad Bhuta Yaksa Dewa " means 1634 AD.

Temple Structure
As the common layout of temple in Bali, the area of 250 x 100 square meters is divided into 4 courtyards. On west side is the natural pool by constructing dam across the small river on the southern end of the temple area. The temple has been renovated in 1949 on the gates, split gates, walls and meeting hall, and pavilion called " Bale Bengong" In 1972 all black fiber roofs were renewed, the last in 1976 was built the pavilion tower called " Bale Kulkul " and the roof of meeting hall was changed.

On the east side of the main complex there is a meru dedicated to the god of fertility, which is closely related with rice and irrigation, called : shrine of Ulun Suwi " At one side of the east part is a shrine of the spirit warrior Pasek Buduk from Buduk village, a place around 10 kms from this temple site. The reason of the king building a worship to a spirit of Pasek Buduk, due to unending war between Mengwi and Buduk village area. Pasek was the resistant and strong defender and head of the village. Inspired by the bigger necessity to consolidate the kingdom Pasek wanted to subdue to the king by disclosing his physical weakness, and asked the king to build for his spirit a shrine in the temple, and appoint from 4 casts as the adoption of king children. The king agreed and adopted 40 children who then called the clan of " Pasek Batu Bata". It is mentioned that from the clan of Pasek Buduk and those adopted children had grown a strong garrison to support the glory of Mengwi kingdom. Mengwi is the second kingdom of Bali to control Blambangan regency ( now Banyuwangi in East Java ).

Total number of shrines and pavilions in the complex are 50 units. This shrines are not all dedicated to god or holy spirits but some are as ritual facilities, public hall, and decorations.

For Taman Ayun temple, the responsible principal is Mengwi palace assisted by the society in the area of current Mengwi Kecamatan administrative government. During the main ceremony people from outside Kecamatan Mengwi are usually coming for praying, especially those areas before under Mengwi kingdom.

Mengwi kingdom also built Puncak Mangu temple, a big temple behind the mount Mangu across the ridge of south lake Beratan, and Batukaru and Tanah Lot temple were supposed to have been built by Mengwi kingdom.

Bibliography

• Goris, Dr. R. : Sejarah Bali Kuno, Singaraja, Bali, no date
  Sekte-Sekte di Bali, translated by Soejono, Bhrattara, Jakarta, 1974
  Bali Atlas Kebudayaan, Pemerintah Republic Indonesia, no date
  Arti Pura Besakih Menurut Sejarah dan Ibadat, Majalah Bhakti, Th. II, No. 17
• I.H.D. : Kumpulan Penelitian Tentang Pura di Bali, diperbanyak untuk Lingkungan Institute Hindu Dharma Denpasar, Bali, no. date.
• Linus, Drs. I .Kt. : Sedikit Tentang Hubungan Konsepsional antara Candi dan Pura di Bali, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Udayana, Denpasar, 1974
• Kempers, Dr. A.J : Monumental Bali, Introduction to Balinese Archaeology & Guide to the Monuments, Periplus Addition, 1989
• Rata, Drs. I.B. : Konsepsi Dasar dan Pengembangan Pura di Bali, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, 1979
• Pemda Propinsi Bali : Sejarah Bali, 1980