This temple is located at Mengwi village in Badung and is 18 kilometers from Denpasar. It is easily reached by car. The huge state temple of Pura Taman Ayun surrounded by a wide moat was the main temple of Mengwi kingdom, which survived until 1891 when it was conquered by the neighboring kingdoms of Tabanan and Badung. The temple was originally built in 1634 and extensively renovated in 1947. It iss very large and spacious, and the elegant moat is an unusual feature. The first courtyard is a large, open grassy expanse and the inner courtyard has a multitude of Merus (multi-tiered shrines).
In a beautiful setting across the moat from the temple is a rather lost-looking art centre. 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 shrines of the spirit warrior Pasek Buduk from Buduk village, a place around 10 kilometers from this temple site. The King built a temple to worship the spirit of Pasek Buduk, due ti unending war between Mengwi and Bduk villages. Pasek was the regions 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 one each from 4 casts as the adopted children. The king agreed and adopted 40 children who were then called 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 the Blambangan regency (now Banyuwangi is East Java). The total number of shrines and pavilions in the complex is 50.
These shrines are not all dedicated to Gods or holy spirits but some are used as ritual facilities public halls, and decorations.
For Taman Ayun temple, the responsible principal is Mengwi palace assisted by the local society in the area of the current Mengwi Kecamatan administrative government. During the major ceremonies people from outside Kecamatan Mengwi usually come to pray, especially from those areas previously under Mengwi Kingdom.
