Pura Tirta Empul Temple

Why Pura Tirta Empul Temple is special ?

The complex, built circa 960 AD, is also a silent witness to the old Balinese kingdom years, particularly at the time of the Warmadewa Dynasty. Another nearby and prominent site on top of a hill is the presidential palace, Istana Tampaksiring, built during the years of the nation’s first president, Soekarno.

Tirta Empul, meaning ‘holy water spring’ is actually the name of a water source located within the temple. The spring feeds various purification baths, pools and fish ponds surrounding the outer perimeter, which all flow to the Tukad Pakerisan River. Various sites throughout the region and many other archaeological relics relate to local myths and legends.

As is common with Balinese temples, the Tirta Empul Temple complex has three key divisions, namely a front, secondary and inner courtyard. Visitors to Tirta Empul first come upon the lush gardens and pathways adorned with statues and tropical plants that lead to its entrance. After stepping through this typical 'candi bentar' (temple gate), a vast walled courtyard welcomes visitors to the bathing pools where a large 'wantilan' meeting hall stands at the right.

Inside the central courtyard, referred to as ‘madya mandala’ or ‘jaba tengah’, pilgrims first approach a rectangular purification bath where a total of 13 elaborately sculpted spouts that line the edge from west to east. After solemn prayers at an altar-like shrine, they proceed to enter the crystal-clear, cold mountain water. With hands pressed together, they bow under the gushing water of the first spout, carrying on to the eleventh. The water from the last two of the 13 spouts is meant for purification purposes in funerary rites.

The myth behind the curative and purifying spring tells of a Balinese ruler, known by the title Mayadenawa, who is depicted to have defied the influence of Hinduism and denied his subjects religious prayers and practices. The legend goes that this eventually angered the gods, and in a campaign, god Indra sought Mayadenawa’s subdual.

Source: http://www.bali-indonesia.com

What to explore at Pura Tirta Empul Temple?

Tirtha Empul Temple is an ancient temple in Bali famous for its holy water which is used for spiritual reasons. The temple is over a thousand years old and features a spring which feeds a pond through several spouts. Moreover, the temple itself is a beautiful traditional Balinese architecture with split gate and shrines to Hindu gods, and a big pavilion in the courtyard.

Tirta Empul is divided into 3 courtyards. At the first courtyard there is also the pool for public bathing and even tourists can enter the pool. The water source at Tirta Empul is believed to be the source of life and prosperity.

How to get to Pura Tirta Empul Temple?

Pura Tirta Empul Temple is located in Tampark Siring and in the middle between Ubud and Kintamani, so you can access by local private chartered van or from the airport for 1 hour 30 minute by car.