Wonderful of Narmada Park in Mataram City

Narmada Park

Like other kingdoms in Nusantara (Malay archipelago), Bali Kingdoms which had ever ruled in Lombok Island built many parks as places for the kings to rest and enjoy the nature after the tiredness of managing the kingdom affairs. There are some equipments inside the parks which are usually used to amuse the kings. Different from other parks in West Nusa Tenggara, this park was built as a place for the kings to worship and do their rituals.

Narmada is a park which was built by King Anak Agung Gde Ngurah Karangasem in 1727 A.D. However, most of the history books write that it was built in 1805 A.D. The name of the park is taken from a holy river in India, that is Narmada River. This park is similar to Mount Rinjani and Lake Segara Anak. It is said when the king was too old to do the ritual and sacrifices (pekelan) in the peak of Mount Rinjani which has 3726 meters height, he ordered all architects in the kingdom to bring the nuance of Mount Rinjani to the center of the city. Finally, they agreed to make the duplicate, that is Narmada Park. In the past, Narmada Park was a place which was used by the kings not only to worship Dewa Shiwa (Shiva Deity), but also to take a rest.

Nowadays, Narmada Park is opened for public and becomes the center of recreation which is always visited by many local and foreign tourists. This park is always crowded on the weekend.

If you are a nature lover, but you are too busy and do not have much time, it is a right decision to spare your time visiting Narmada Park. The concept of this park has a special characteristic of exotic nature nuance which is arranged to imitate the form of mountain. On the below part, there are three ponds which are irrigated by clear spring like a lake. The amount of the pond is the same as the amount of Lake Segara Anak in the peak of Mount Rinjani. Inside this park, there is a temple named Kalasa Temple which is located in the above of the park. To reach this temple, you have to pass tens of stairs which was made intentionally so that you will feel like climbing Mount Rinjani. It is pretty exhausting to reach the top peak of Kalasa Temple. However, the tiredness will be erased by the nature situation that is still fresh, the shady trees, and the natural swimming pool with clear water.

Between November and December, this park will be seen as piety center. The Lombok natives who embrace Hindu religion usually celebrate Pujawali Day in this month by climbing Mount Rinjani and doing pekelan ritual by throwing stuffs and small jewelry to honor the God who keeps Mount Rinjani. People who cannot go to the mountain just have to go to the temple in this park.

Another interesting thing is the pond water in Narmada Park originated from the spring which comes from Mount Rinjani. This spring is believed to be able to make someone looks younger than his real age is. You can try it by washing your face or drinking it.

Where Narmada Park Access Location?

This park is located in Mataram City, province of West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. For tourists who want to visit Narmada Park, the trip to the location needs about 20 minutes from Mandalika bus station in Mataram City using public transportation. The tariff of public transportation is  4.000,00 IDR and taxi is 25.000,00 IDR. To enjoy this miniature of Mount Rinjani, the tourists only have to buy tickets 2.000,00 IDR for adults and 1.000,00 IDR for children. This park is opened for public and starts from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. (Middle Indonesia Time).There are not many hotels around this location. The tourists usually stay in hotels which are located in Mataram City.