Half-Day Historical Trip around Lombok

Lingsar Temple brings a symbolic harmony between Hindu and Islam religions in Bali and Lombok. Set amongst luscious green rice fields, the temple was built in 1714, it has been renovated with a stunning garden and lotus pools surrounding it. The temple features three buildings - gaduh, kemalig and perisaman. Different junctions through the temple have been built to honour different gods. The junction in the east is to honour the god in Rinjani Mountain, the west to worship god in Agung along with two united that symbolise both Rinjani and Agung Mountain. In the Wektu Telu area, you will find the famous pool of water home to holy eels. It is considered good luck if you see them, and they can be lured out of the water with hard-boiled eggs, which are available to purchase from stalls outside the temple. Continue on from here and there are nine fountains to purify and heal illness. This is considered to be one of the holiest temples in Lombok and it was built under the reign of King Anak Agung Ngurah.

Lombok is an island in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. It forms part of the chain of the Lesser Sunda Islands, with the Lombok Strait separating it from Bali to the west and the Alas Strait between it and Sumbawa to the east. It is roughly circular, with a "tail" (Sekotong Peninsula) to the southwest, about 70 kilometres (43 miles) across and a total area of about 4,514 square kilometres (1,743 square miles). The provincial capital and largest city on the island is Mataram.

What was once the former king's family temple is now more of a site where people come to stroll as it is no more than a public park. Constructed in 1744, the temple is a pilgrimage site for Lombok's Hindu community and during its heydey was the site for many processions and religious gatherings. During the Dutch colonial era, the temple compound witnessed battles between the colonial forces and the independence freedom fighters and remnants of the temple's bloody past can still be seen around the complex.

The Pura Meru is one of the largest Hindu temples in Lombok. It is the main temple of the Hindus and is located in West Cakranegara (pronounce: Sjakranegara). This is one of the suburbs of the capital Mataram. The temple was built in 1720 under the patronage of a Balinese prince, who wanted to strengthen the ties between the islands of Bali and Lombok. The architecture of the Peru Meru is very similar to the temples in Bali. The three towers symbolize the trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. The temple is widely used at festivals and ceremonies.

The King of Mataram built Pura Agung Narmada in 1727, and it now holds a rich history and strong cultural significance to locals. In the dry season, the park is still used as a resting place by the royal family. Now Pura Agung Narmada has become a destination for locals to explore, swim or picnic at and this three-hectare park is very sacred for Hindus. Starting in the upper area of the park sits a stone step pyramid. There is also Balai Petirtaan, where water springs follow directly from Mount Rinjani and to enter the chamber, a yellow sash must be worn. It is believed that the water from the springs below is the water of immortality.