Karangasem regency – “Raksakeng Dharma Prajahita” (From the protection of  ‘dharma’ or religion to achieve people’s prosperity).

 

Karangasem Regency (Indonesian: Kabupaten Karangasem) is a regency (kabupaten) of Bali, Indonesia. Has an area of 839.54 km2 and had a population of 416,600 (mid 2019). Its regency seat is Amlapura. Karangasem was devastated when Mount Agung erupted in 1963, killing 1,900 people. Karangasem was a kingdom before Bali was conquered by the Dutch. The regency is divided into eight districts (kecamatan). Interesting places in Karangasem include:

1. The major Pura Besakih Hindu temple, sometimes called the Mother Temple of Besakih.
2. Mount Agung, the highest peak in Bali.
3. Telaga Waja River, the only rafting spot at eastern Bali.
4. Tenganan “the original Bali”, a Bali Aga village whose inhabitants who still live according to their ancient traditions.
5. Amed, a beach town.
6. Tulamben, a dive site.
7. Candidasa, a starting point for visiting the east coast of Bali. East of Candidasa is the village of Bugbug, whose inhabitants celebrate the Perang Dawa (war of the gods) every other year on the full moon of the fourth month, October.
8. Prasi Beach in Prasi village, known as Pantai Pasir Putih “White Sandy Beach” and also as Virgin Beach. Its white sandy beaches are mainly free of crowds, less polluted, and popular for swimming or snorkeling from April to October.
9. Ujung Water Palace, built by the King Anak Agung Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem.
10. Tirta Gangga water palace.