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Narmada
Taman Narmada, 11 kilometers east of Mataram, was built in
1727 by King Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Karang Asem as both a
pleasure garden and place to worship Shiva. Its big pool is
said to represent Segara Anakan, the crater lake on the
volcano Rinjani where they used to make offerings by
throwing valuables into the water. As the became too old to
make the pilgrimage up the 3,726 meter high mountain, he had
Narmada made to represent the mountains and the lake. Near
the pond is A place of worship and a spring whose water is
believed to give dedicated pilgrims eternal youth.
Pura lingsar
This may be the only Hindu shrine in the world where both
Hindus and Moslems come to worship. About 7 kilometers west
of Narmada, it was built in 1714 and rebuilt in 1878 to
symbolize harmony and unity between the Hindu Balinese and
Moslem Sasak population of the area, especially those who
adhere to Lombok's unique Wektu Telu school of Islam.
The Balinese temple is built on higher ground, behind the
Moslem section in the compound. In the lower yard is a
spring in which pilgrims in the temple yard stage a mock
battle between Hindus and Moslems in which troth parties
hurl rice cakes at each other.
Pura Agung Gunung Sari
This great temple on a hill at Gunung Sari, about four
kilometers from Mataram, was witness to the Puputan battle
to the last man, fought on November 22, 1894, between
Lombok's last Balinese ruler, Anak Agung Nengah and
followers, and the Dutch troops under General Van der
Vetter's command.
Sukarare
This is a village of weavers south of Cakranegara. Lombok is
known for its brightly Patterned songket cloth. People have
been making it on their handlooms for many generations.
Sengkol and Rambitan
Time seems to have frozen in these three villages in
southern Lombok on the road from the capital to Kuta Beach.
All the houses and barns are built in the age- old
traditional style where life itself appears to be as it
always has been. The arid savanna-like landscape of this
area is impressive even in its starkness.
Batu Bolong Beach
Located 9 km from dowtown Mataram, this beach has a huge
rock with a hole in it. A Hindu temple lies on top facing
the Lombok Strait and across is the contour of ma jestic
Mount Agung of Bali. after sunbathing, relaxing and
frolicking on this beautiful beachfront, try to stay till
the end of the day to watch one of the most stunning sunsets
you have ever seen when the sun slowly begins to disappear
behind Mount Agung with incredibly flaming colours.
Taman Mayura
The Mayura Park is what remains of the once existing Karang
Asam kingdom of Bali whose King A.A. Ngurah built it in
1744. In the middle of a large pond is a structure called
Balai Kambang which at the time functioned as a legal court
of justice as well as a hall for important meetings.
Curiously, its architecture shows both Hindu as well as
Islamic influence, whereas around the place statues made of
stone are found in the form of a Moslem hajji
Pura Meru
Another relic remaining from the Karang Asam Kingdom is the
Meru Temple at Cakranegara, close to Mataram. The temple was
built in 1720 during King A.A. Made's rule as a symbol of
Hindu unity on Lombok island. Several structures are found
in this complex, all of them designated to function for
particular pur poses, including the 33 stalls located next
to the main temple.
Kuta Beach
Also known as Putri Nyale Beach, Kuta on the south coast of
central Lombok is one of the most scenic and unspoilt
beaches in this part of Indonesia. From Kuta to Tanjung Aan
five km away, it is an unbroken stretch of clean white sand
on the Indian Ocean. It is safe for bathing and swimming.
Further to the west are the surfers and windsurfers beaches.
Each year, on the 1 9th day of the tenth month of the Sasak
lunar calendar when the Nyale fish come to the sea's
surface, Kuta Beach is the site of great festivities.
Fishermen sail out to sea while young men and women gather
along the teach to join in the merrymaking, tease each other
and perhaps meet to build a more lasting relationship.
Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan
Gili, in Sasak means "island". These three are clustered
together just off the northwest coast of Lombok. Coral
gardens abound in clear waters around the islands. Gili Air,
the nearest island, can be reached in 10 to 15 minutes by
outrigger boat from Bangsal harbour, near Pamenang.
Senggigi Beach
Senggigi, north of Bangsal, belongs to the most scenic and
most popular beaches an the island of Lombok with good
accommodation facilities. Coral gardens grow in the sea just
off shore.
Mount Rinjani
Mount Rinjani, a 3,726 meter high active volcano, is one of
the tallest mountains of Indonesia. At the floor of the
volcano's huge caldera is the sickle shaped crater lake
Segara Anakan, surrounded by steep walls. The mountain is
popular with hikers. Sembalun Bumbung and Sembalun Lawang
are two traditional Sasak villages on the slopes of Rinjani.
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