Located :
Candidasa is located at Samuh – Bugbug Village, Karangasem District. It is about 65 km from Denpasar and 12 km from Amlapura.
Description :
Candidasa is well known for its shiny white sand. Tourism industry flourishes significantly in this area that background by the Indonesian Ocean. From this place, we will see Lombok Island and Nusa Penida in a distance and the sparkling light of “Jukung” or traditional boat at night that will always draw us to come again.
History :
Previously, Candidasa was known as Teluk Kehen (Kehen Bay). But when this area was finally opened as tourism depelovment area, the name Candidasa was started to be used.There is no certain report about the historical backgound of the name. However, it is assumed that the choice of this name is connected with the story of “lingga” inside the temple lies on the top of Candidasa hills. An old manuscript found here mentions that Candidasa Temple was built on the 12th Century. There is a remain called “lingga” inide the temple, which is believed as the symbol of God Siva. In this holy place hermits often received their highest solitude or “heaven” by uttering 10 letters called “Dasa Aksara” (10 = Dasa). Another story says that the name Candidasa was inspired by a statue near the lingga. It is a statue of Goddess Hariti that surrounded by 10 children. It is believed that Goddess Hariti could give blessing of welfare and prosperity to the people who pray here.
How to get to Candidasa :
1. 15 minutes from Karangasem
2. 1 ½ hours from Denpasar
3. 1 hours from Tulamben
What you can see around Candidasa :
1. Tenganan Pegeringsingan, As an ancient village, Tenganan Pegeringsingan is identical with religious activities. Many temple festivals performed in this village that attract visitors to come. The most famous one is “Mekare-kare” or “Perang Pandan”. This is a ceremonial fight or war using thorny pandanous leaves as the weapon.
2. Taman Ujung Water Palace, which by the local people is called as Taman Soekasada Ujung, was built in 1919. However, the launching of this complex of water palace was performed in 1912. The water palace was constructed by the late King of Karangasem, I Gusti Bagus Jelantik, which reigned in Karangasem between 1909 and 1945.
3. Tirtagangga Water Garden, scratches on a 1,2 Hectare area, which consists of three complexes. The first complex lies on the lowest level of this area, where we can find two ponds and a water tower. The second complex in the middle level is the location where we can find swimming pools; while in the third part, which is the main complex, we can find the rest house of the King.
4. Besakih Temple, built on a terraced site where prehistoric rites, ceremonies, and feasts once took place. Perhaps it was here where the spirit of the great, angry mountain, which loomed menacingly above the island, received pagan sacrifices. Certain timeworn megaliths in some of the bale are reminiscent of old Indo-Polynesian structures.
