The former kingdom was founded during the weakening of the Gelgel dynasty late in the 17th century, and became in the late 18th and early 1 gth centuries the most powerful state in Bali. Puri Agung Karangasem long served as the residence of these kings, Bangli Further inland the weather is cooler.
Plots abound with sweet potato, peanut, corn and spices.
A high kulkul drum tower marks the entrance to Bangli, capital of a kingdom descended from the early Gelgel dynasty. The largest and most sacred temple of the district is Pura Kehen, the terraced mountain sanctuary and state temple of Bangli. An ancient document tells of the slaughter of a black bull Batu Bulan Driving northeast of Denpasar, one is soon among the fields and streams of Badung and Gianyar. Badung's district border is marked by a spinning factory named Patal Tohpati. Entering Batubulan, stone statues of divinities and demons, humans and animals line the roadside.