My experience at Tirta Empul Temple: Bali’s Sacred Water Temple
I had the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful and spiritual places in Bali: Tirta Empul Temple. Tirta Empul, which means “holy water spring” in Balinese, is a Hindu temple that was built in the 10th century and is dedicated to Vishnu, the god of water. The temple is famous for its holy spring water, where Balinese Hindus go for ritual purificaiton and cleansing.
The temple is located near the town of Tampasksiring, about an hour drive from Ubud, in the lush Balinese countryside. It is a little out of the way but well worth the effort to get there.
As I entered the temple complex, I was greeted by a large stone gate (candi bentar) that led me to the outer courtyard (jaba sisi). As the temple is a sacred palace of worship, you must cover your kness and shoulders. There is a stand where you can rent a sarong for a small donation.
The outer courtyard was filled with statues, shrines, gardens and ponds. I admired the intricate carvings and details of the sculptures and buildings which reflected the rich culture and history of Bali. I also noticed some people praying and making offerings at various altars.
I then walked through another candi bentar that was guarded by two giant statues of Dwarapala (guardians) and entered the central courtyard (jaba tengah). This is where the main attrraction of the temple is: the holy spring water.
The central courtyard consists of two pools with 30 showers that are fed by the spring. Each shower has a different name and function, such as Pengulukatan (purification), Pebersihan (cleansing), Sudamala (liberation) and Pancuran Cetik (poison). The water is crystal clear and very cool, and it is believed to have healing and magical properties.
I went to the change rooms to hire my sarong for the ritual. They also have lockers to hire to put your belongings in if you need then joined the short queue who were waiting to take part in the purification ritual.
The ritual involves dipping your head under each shower starting from the left most one. Before each shower, you are supposed to make a wish or intention in your mind, then rinse yourself with the water while saying a prayer or mantra, then moving through each of the showers completing the same ritual. Some people put their head under each shower and some, me, splashed the water over my face.
The ritual was an amazing experience for me. I felt a sense of peace and calmness as I immersed myself in the water. I also felt a connection with the divine and nature as I listened to the sound of the water and the birds. I felt cleansed and refreshed physically, mentally and spiritually.
After completing the ritual, I dried off, changed back into my clothes and explored the rest of the temple complex, which includes an inner courtyard (jeroan) where there are more shrines and statues dedicated to various gods and goddesses. There is also a large pond with colourful koi fish that you can feed.
I spent about 2 hours at Tirta Empul Temple and it was the highlight of my trip to Bali. I highly recommend visiting this place if you are looking for a unique and meaningful experience that will enrich your soul.
If you are interested in visiting Tirta Empul Temple, here are some tips and information that might help you:
- The temple is open daily from 7am to 6pm.
- The entrance fee is 50,000 IDR per person.
- You can rent a sarong at the entrance for 10,000 IDR or bring your own.
- You can rent a locker for 10,000 IDR to store your belongings while you do the ritual.
- You should wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Avoid wearing anything white or transparent as it might get wet or stained by the water.
- You should bring a towel if you are planning on doing the purification ritual.
- You should respect the local customs and beliefs while you are at the temple. Do not touch or disturb anything that is used for worship or offerings. Do not take photos or videos of people who are praying or doing the ritual without their permission.
You can find more information about Tirta Empul on the Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirta_Empul
