Lombok Island

The Mayura Water Palace is located in Mataram City on the island of Lombok. Built in 1744 by the Hindu kingdom of Bali, this historic complex originally served as a courthouse and assembly hall for Balinese princes. Its name, meaning "peacock" in Sanskrit, comes from the fact that these birds were once kept to control snake infestations in the gardens. The palace features a floating pavilion in the center of a large artificial lake, connected to the shore by an elevated walkway, and a sacred Hindu temple that remains an active place of worship for Lombok's Hindu community. The complex is surrounded by gardens with mangosteen trees and offers views that blend Balinese and Sasak architecture.

Located in the city of Mataram, Pura Meru (or Temple Meru) is the largest Hindu temple on the island and a site of great historical and cultural significance. It was completed in 1720 under the patronage of a Balinese prince to foster religious unity on the island. The complex is notable for its traditional Balinese architecture and its shrines dedicated to the Hindu trinity (Trimurti) and to Indonesia's sacred volcanoes. The inner courtyard houses three multi-tiered towers made of teak wood and black palm thatch. The grounds feature an outer courtyard with wooden drums and an inner courtyard containing, in addition to the three main towers, 33 smaller shrines.Although Lombok is predominantly Muslim, Pura Meru is the center of spiritual life for the city's Hindu minority.

The Lingsar Temple (or Pura Lingsar) is the most important and unique sacred site on Lombok, located about 8 km northeast of Mataram. Originally built in 1714 by King Anak Agung Ngurah of the Karangasem Kingdom, it is famous for being a multi-denominational place of worship where followers of Balinese Hinduism and Wetu Telu Islam (a belief specific to the Sasak people) coexist in harmony. The sanctuary is divided into three main sections that reflect its dual nature: · Pura Gaduh: Located on the upper level, this is the Hindu temple proper, with shrines dedicated to the sacred mountains Gunung Agung (Bali) and Gunung Rinjani (Lombok). · Kemaliq: The area on the lower level dedicated to Wetu Telu beliefs and used by local Muslims for sacred rituals. · Pesiraman: A bathing area. rituals and ponds fed by natural springs where the faithful seek purification.

The Narmada Water Palace (known locally as Taman Narmada) is a historic complex of gardens, temples, and ponds located in the village of Lembuak, about 10 kilometers east of Mataram on the island of Lombok. Built in 1727 by King Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Karangasem, it was designed as a miniature replica of the sacred volcano Mount Rinjani and its crater lake, Segara Anak. Legend has it that the king commissioned the park when he was too old to make the strenuous ascent of Mount Rinjani for religious ceremonies. The palace served as a summer residence for the royal family and as a sacred site for the Pakelem ceremony, which is still held annually to pray for rain.The complex has three main attractions: the Pura Kalasa, a Balinese-style Hindu temple that remains an important place of worship for the local community; The Fountain of Youth, a natural spring whose water comes directly from Mount Rinjani, and which locals believe grants eternal youth to those who wash with it; and the Aneka Tirta Pool, a large pond representing the crater lake of Rinjani, where visitors can swim.

Sendang Gile is a fascinating spectacle of nature, a waterfall with two tiers, the highest of which is approximately 31 meters high. It is located in a unique natural setting and is accessed on foot via a path surrounded by tropical landscapes and lush vegetation. Photography enthusiasts will also find a multitude of stunning scenes to capture, from the intricate patterns of the water flow to the interplay of light and shadow in the surrounding forest.

The Sembalun Valley, located on the eastern slopes of Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok, Indonesia, is a vast agricultural landscape surrounded by hills and volcanoes. It offers stunning panoramic views and a cool climate that contrasts with the island's tropical coasts. Known for its fertile fields of corn, beans, and vegetables, as well as its traditional Sasak villages, the valley has become an ideal starting point for trekkers wishing to ascend Mount Rinjani. It offers hiking trails that wind through forests, grasslands, and crystal-clear rivers, while visitors can experience the authenticity of rural life, the hospitality of its inhabitants, and the opportunity to witness sunrises and sunsets over a natural setting that combines mountains, valleys, and vast skies in an unforgettable visual spectacle.