Mayura Park

Mayura Park: Traces of Karangasem's Glory and a Silent Witness to Diplomacy in the Heart of Mataram

Taman Mayura is more than just a green open space amidst the hustle and bustle of Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara. This historical site embodies a profound fusion of culture, military strength, and spirituality. Located in Cakranegara, Taman Mayura stands as the most significant relic from the era of the Karangasem Kingdom of Bali's rule on Lombok Island, reflecting the harmony between architectural aesthetics and strategic governance.

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Origins and Construction Period

Taman Mayura was built in 1744 by the King of Mataram Lombok, Anak Agung Ngurah Karangasem. In its early days, the complex was known as Taman Kelepug. The name was derived from the sound of water emerging from a spring within the park, which made a "kelepug-kelepug" sound. However, over time and due to political and natural dynamics, the park underwent major renovations.

In 1866, the then King of Mataram, Anak Agung Gde Ngurah Karangasem, carried out a comprehensive restoration. According to local historical records, the name change to "Mayura" was closely related to a snake pest problem that had disturbed the park's tranquility. Upon the advice of royal advisors, the king brought peacocks (in Sanskrit, Mayura) to drive away the snakes. Since then, the park has been known as Taman Mayura, a name symbolizing beauty and serenity.

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Architecture and Construction Details: Cultural Acculturation

Architecturally, Taman Mayura presents a distinctive blend of Balinese Hindu, Javanese Islamic, and Dutch colonial influences. The park's layout follows the traditional royal urban planning concept, which clearly but harmoniously separates sacred and secular areas.

The most iconic structure in the center of the park is a pavilion floating in the middle of a large pond, known as Bale Kambang. Bale Kambang served as the royal court as well as an important meeting place for royal officials. Access to this building is via a long, straight bridge, symbolizing honesty and the sharpness of legal decisions.

The building materials for Bale Kambang are dominated by high-quality teak wood with distinctive Balinese carvings on its pillars and roof. Around the pond, there are statues with symbolic value. One unique fact is the presence of statues representing various ethnicities, including a figure in traditional Chinese attire and a figure with European physical characteristics. This indicates that in the 19th century, the Mataram Kingdom of Lombok was a cosmopolitan entity open to international relations.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

Taman Mayura was not merely a royal resting place but the political nerve center of Lombok in its time. This site bears silent witness to the bloody events that reshaped the power map of the archipelago, namely the Lombok War of 1894.

In the late 19th century, tensions between the Mataram Kingdom of Lombok and the Dutch colonial government reached their peak. Taman Mayura became the location for arduous negotiations between Dutch envoys and the royal party. However, diplomacy failed and led to a fierce battle. Around the Mayura area, Dutch troops under the command of General P.P.H. van Ham were severely pushed back by a surprise attack from Sasak and Balinese forces loyal to the king. General van Ham himself died in the battle in Lombok, a humiliating defeat that forced the Dutch to send a larger military expedition to subdue the kingdom.

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Important Figures and Power Influence

Anak Agung Gde Ngurah Karangasem is the central figure who gave Mayura its strong character. He was known as a visionary leader who steadfastly defended sovereignty. Under his leadership, Mayura became a symbol of economic prosperity driven by the trade of rice and agricultural products.

Furthermore, the existence of Taman Mayura is also inseparable from the role of the Sasak community. Although built by rulers of Balinese descent, its construction involved local craftsmen and labor, which indirectly fostered strong cultural assimilation in Lombok, later known by the concept of "Lombok Mirah Sasak Adi."

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Religious and Cultural Dimensions

To this day, Taman Mayura holds significant religious importance for Hindus in Lombok. In the northern part of the park, there is the Pura Meru complex, the largest temple in Lombok, located opposite the park area. Water from the Mayura pond is often used in religious ceremonies as a means of purification (melasti).

The presence of four springs in the corners of the park is also considered to have the philosophical value of "Catur Lokapala," or the cardinal directions. This emphasizes that Mayura was designed as a microcosm of the universe, where the elements of water, earth, and air must be in perfect balance.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

As a Cultural Heritage Site, Taman Mayura is managed under strict supervision from the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center. The local government of West Nusa Tenggara periodically undertakes restoration, especially for the Bale Kambang section, which is susceptible to wood decay due to the high humidity from the pond below.

The last renovation focused on restoring the carving details and repainting according to historical conservation standards. Although surrounded by modern buildings and shopping centers in Mataram, local authorities have succeeded in maintaining a buffer zone to preserve the park's historical atmosphere. Ancient mango trees that are hundreds of years old are still allowed to grow lushly in the park area, providing the same natural shade as when the kings walked there in the past.

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Unique Facts and Traditional Heritage

One rarely known unique fact is that the irrigation system around Taman Mayura was part of a highly advanced Subak network in its time. The water flowing into the pond was regulated in such a way that it never dried up, even during long dry seasons, reflecting local wisdom in water resource management.

Today, besides being a historical tourist attraction, Taman Mayura also serves as a venue for various annual cultural festivals. Celebrations such as Perang Topat or Hindu religious ceremonies often use this area as a gathering point. This proves that Taman Mayura is not just a dead historical fossil, but a dynamic public space where the past and present engage in harmonious dialogue. Visitors are not only treated to lush scenery but are also invited to reflect on the traces of heroism and diplomacy that once determined the fate of Lombok Island in the past.