Narmada Palace, Royal palace complex in West Lombok Regency, Indonesia

Narmada Palace is a royal palace complex in West Lombok with spacious gardens, pavilions, fountains, and pools spread across the grounds. The buildings blend Balinese and Javanese architectural styles throughout the site.

The palace was built in 1727 under King Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Karang Asem of the Mataram kingdom as a royal summer retreat. Its construction reveals how the ruling family of that time sought leisure and comfort away from the main court.

The name Narmada comes from the Narmadanadi, a sacred tributary of the Ganges in India, not from Mount Rinjani. The spring water feeding the pools is linked to tirta amerta, the water of immortality. Pura Kelasa, on a terraced cliff above the pools, is one of eight old temples on Lombok and hosts the annual Pujawali festivals for Batara, honoured on Rinjani.

The complex opens year-round for visitors, with guided tours available to help you explore the buildings and gardens. It is best to arrive early in the day to avoid the heat and crowds.

The Balai Petirtaan is fed by a spring said to come from Gunung Rinjani and marks the meeting of three water sources: Suranadi, Lingsar and Narmada. Local belief holds that drinking or washing one's face there keeps a person youthful.