Pura Taman Saraswati, Ubud: Water Palace Guide

Pura Taman Saraswati sits in the middle of Ubud, set back from Jalan Raya behind a rectangular pond thick with lotus. The temple is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning, music and the arts, which places it exactly where it should be in a town that has built its name on painting, carving and dance. The approach along the pond is the point: a paved walkway runs between the water and ends at a carved gate, and the whole composition is designed to slow you down.

The pond and the gate

Lotus fills the water on both sides of the walkway, flowering in the morning and closing again in the afternoon heat. At the end, a split gate and then a towering carved doorway lead into the temple courtyard, worked in soft sandstone that weathers to grey and green. The carving came out of the circle around I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, the Ubud artist and architect whose hand shaped much of the town’s built work in the twentieth century.

Inside the courtyard

Beyond the gate the courtyard holds shrines, a pavilion and further carved panels, quieter than the pond and rarely crowded. This is a working temple, so parts of it are for worship rather than sightseeing, and offerings sit on the shrine steps through the day. Dress modestly, keep to the open areas, and step back when a ceremony is under way.

Dance in the evening

Most evenings a stage in front of the temple hosts Balinese dance, usually Legong or Barong, with the lit gate as a backdrop. Tickets are around Rp 100,000 and are sold at the gate and by sellers around town during the day. The performances start at about 7.30pm and run for an hour or so. It is one of the easier ways to see live gamelan and dance in Ubud without booking ahead.

Getting there

The temple stands on Jalan Kajeng, a few minutes on foot from Ubud market and from Ubud Palace, and a cafe on the pond gives a second view of the same scene. There is no car park of its own, so walking in from the centre is easier than riding. It pairs naturally with the market, the palace and an afternoon on the Campuhan Ridge Walk. For the wider picture, see our guide to Ubud and the list of things to do in Ubud.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Pura Taman Saraswati?+

No, walking in to see the lotus pond and the outer courtyard is free. Donations are welcome at the box near the entrance. The evening dance performances staged in front of the temple are ticketed separately, usually around Rp 100,000, and tickets are sold at the gate or by sellers around Ubud during the day.

When do the lotus flowers bloom at the water palace?+

Lotus flowers open in the morning and close through the heat of the afternoon, so the pond looks its best before about eleven. The plants flower through much of the year rather than in one short season, though the pond is periodically cleared and cut back, and it looks thinner for a while afterwards. Morning also gives the calmest water for reflections.

Can you watch a dance performance at Pura Taman Saraswati?+

Yes. A stage in front of the temple hosts Legong, Barong and Kecak performances most evenings, usually starting around 7.30pm. Tickets cost roughly Rp 100,000 and are sold at the gate and by sellers in town. Arriving twenty minutes early gets you a seat with a clear view of the gate, which is lit and forms the backdrop to the dancing.

Do you need a sarong at Pura Taman Saraswati?+

For the pond and the outer courtyard, modest dress that covers the shoulders and knees is enough, and most visitors walk in as they are. A sarong is expected if you enter the inner temple area or attend during a ceremony, and one can usually be borrowed at the entrance. As at any working temple, follow the signs and step aside when worshippers are present.