Pura Taman Saraswati

Pura Taman Saraswati is a water temple in the centre of Ubud on Bali and is dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and arts. It is noted for its lotus pond and richly carved stone and wood ornamentation that frame a central water garden.

The temple’s long lotus pond and carved façade are a focal point for both visitors and local worship, and the compound includes open pavilions used for ritual and performances. The visually striking lotus pool sits directly opposite one of Ubud’s main palace compounds and is integrated into the town’s cultural circuit.

Constructed in the 20th century and maintained by the local community, the temple reflects Balinese Hindu architecture and is used for both daily worship and staged cultural performances. It remains an active religious site as well as a popular stop for visitors to Ubud.

The temple occupies a central position in Ubud, on the main road near the royal palace and within walking distance of other cultural sites and galleries.

• Dance performances: Evening traditional dance performances are regularly staged at the temple’s open pavilion, making late afternoon and evening popular visiting times.

What to See#

• Lotus pond: A long rectangular lotus pond filled with water lilies and a central walkway, lined by carved stone reliefs and lotus blooms that frame the temple façade.
• Main shrine: An open-air shrine and inner temple courts with Balinese stone carvings and reliefs dedicated to Saraswati and local deities, used for ritual and offerings.

Set just across the street from the royal palace, Pura Taman Saraswati is one of Ubud’s most eye-catching temples. Built to honour Dewi Saraswati, the goddess of learning, knowledge and rivers, it is commonly known as the Water Palace and was designed in the early 20th century by the celebrated artist I Gusti Nyoman Lempad.

Though younger and less historically weighty than some of Ubud’s older shrines, the temple enjoys an outstanding reputation. Visitors approach the main shrine along a pathway that runs between two landscaped ponds carpeted with floating lotus blossoms, passing an iconic Barong statue before climbing a short flight of steps to the temple itself.

Each Thursday evening the Water Palace stages traditional Barong dance performances, a popular draw for anyone spending time in Ubud.

Pura Taman Saraswati sits in central Ubud on Jalan Raya Ubud, directly across from the Ubud Palace and Ubud Market. It’s a very short walk from the main Ubud square; from elsewhere on Bali you reach Ubud by taxi or shuttle from Denpasar/Ngurah Rai Airport (about 1-1.5 hours by road depending on traffic) and then proceed on foot for a few minutes from central Ubud parking areas.

• Go early in the morning to capture the lotus pond reflections and ornate stone carvings before tour groups arrive; the temple is right in central Ubud so it fills quickly after mid-morning.
• Approach from the Jalan Raya Ubud side and pause near the pond's edges for photos of the temple facade-many visitors only walk the perimeter and miss the carved friezes and reliefs close to the water.
• Combine a short visit here with the adjacent Ubud Market and palace on foot; the temple's central location makes it an easy first stop before the area becomes crowded.