TEGALALANG RICE FIELDS
Tegalalang Rice Fields, Bali, Indonesia
Photo Essay
Tegalalang Rice Terraces provides that calming picturesque scene; a geometric grid of endless rice paddies. These terraced paddy landscapes, still worked by local rice farmes, are surrounded by palm forests, which protect the water supply and are parts of the water management (irrigation) system called subak. Developed in late 8th century, it is traditional sustainable system that creates pulsed ecosystem binding together Balinese agrarian society and Balinese temples.
The water management is under the authority of the priests in water temples, who practice Tri Hita Karana Philosophy, a relationship between humans, nature and the gods.
Water temple rituals promote a harmonious relationship between people and their environment as they emphasise dependence on the life-sustaining forces of nature. Rice is seen as the gift of god, and the subak system is part of temple culture.
Subak components are the forests that protect the water supply, terraced paddy landscape, rice fields connected by a system of canals, villages, and temples that mark either the source of water or its passage. Water coming from springs and canals flows through the temples and out onto the rice paddy field over the past thousand years shaping the Balinese landscape.
Location: about 20 minute drive from Ubud, best to get there on scooter or by taxi // Jalan Raya Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
Notes: Tegalalang Rice Terrace is part of the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tegallalang forms the 3 most splendid terraced landscapes in Ubud's shared region, with the others being in the villages of Pejeng and Campuhan.
Taidekappeli is located on the island of Hirvensalo, far outside the city. Surrounded by spruces and pines, where the wooded hills rise from the flat fields.