Tampaksiring Palace currently becomes a focus because President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for the first time used the palace for the meeting of his cabinet, working meeting of the governors that was also attended by a number of rectors.
The working meetings usually took place at the Presidential Palace in .Jakarta, but at this time it took place at Tampaksiring, Bali, last Monday (Apr 19, 2010). The name Tampaksiring was taken from two Balinese words, namely tampak (meaning the sole) and siring (slanting). According to a local legend recorded in the Usana Bali palm-leaf manuscript, the name comes from the feet of ancient king of Bali named Mayadenawa. The king was clever and powerful, but had the nature of anger. He considered himself a god and ordered his subject to worship him. As a result of the nature of Mayadenawa, the Lord Indra got angry and sent armies to destroy him.
Mayadenawa managed to flee into the forest. In order the pursuers lost his track, he attempted to walk with tilting position of soles. By that way, he hoped the pursuers did not know that the trails left behind were the trace of the king, namely Mayadenawa. Finally, the troops of Lord Indra could capture him. However, before that, with the remnants of its miracle, he managed to create a toxic spring causing many deaths for his pursuers after they drank the water from the spring he created.
Lord Indra created another spring even as an antidote to such poisonous water. The detoxifying water was then given the name Tirta Empul (meaning holy water). Meanwhile, the forest area passed through by the King Mayadenawa on foot by tilting soles was then known as Tampaksiring.
At one of the corners of Tampaksiring Palace area overlooking the Tirta Empul at the foothills was formerly built a private resort owned by the Kingdom of Gianyar in the 18th century. On that land has now been established a Wisma Merdeka (literally Independence House) becoming a part of the Tampaksiring Palace when it was first built.
Tampaksiring Presidential Palace was established gradually on the initiative of the first President of the RI Sukarno. Its construction was begun in 1957. Then, in order to welcome the XIV ASEAN Summit Meeting on October 7- 8, 2003, Tampaksiring Palace was added with a new building intended for conference and reception room. Later on, the court also renovated the Wantilan Hall used for art performances. Tampaksiring Presidential Palace was built in stages. Its architect was R.M Soedarsono. The first part built was Wisma Merdeka and Wisma Yudhisthira in 1957. Its subsequent development was in 1958, and all the buildings could be completed in 1963.
Tampaksiring Palace is functioned as a retreat for the President of the Republic of Indonesia and their families and for state guests. The first visit and overnight stay at the palace was the initiator, namely President Soekarno. Meanwhile, the fist state guest staying at the palace was King Bhumibol Adulyadej from Thailand.
