A Hindu temple dedicated to purification, Tirta Empul is located in the village of Manukaya, near Tampaksiring. Its name means "sacred spring" in Balinese. Dedicated to the gods Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and Indra, it is regarded as one of Bali's most sacred temples. A jewel of the region, it owes its reputation to a pool of water fed by a sacred spring. It is an ideal destination for discovering Hinduism and thus deepening your understanding of the spiritual culture of the Balinese people.

Legend and history

The temple of Tirta Empul is rooted in fascinating legends and stories that date back to the 10th century. According to historical accounts, it was built under the Warmadewa dynasty in 926 A.D.

The main legend tells of a battle between King Mayadenawa, a practitioner of black magic, and the god Indra. Mayadenawa, known for his shape-shifting abilities, used his powers to sow terror, prompting the sage Sang Kulputih to seek Indra's assistance.

In this confrontation, Indra's soldiers were poisoned by Mayadenawa. To save his soldiers, Indra caused a sacred spring to spring forth, whose waters possessed healing and purifying properties.

Since then, the Balinese have believed that the waters of Tirta Empul have the power to purify body and soul, and to eliminate negative energies. This story gives the temple major spiritual significance and makes it a pilgrimage site for Balinese seeking purification and healing.

Discovering the sacred springs of Tirta Empul

The Tirta Empul temple is a large complex comprising three sections: a courtyard called Jaba Pura, a central area known as Jaba Tengah and an inner section named Jeroan. Like all other sacred sites in Bali, this place also features a large stone Balinese gate: the Candi Bentar gate.

The Jaba Pura courtyard

The central part of the temple is a large open-air space. It is enclosed on three sides by a large stone wall and on the center by a Balinese entrance gate. On its right side, it is dominated by a large pavilion that hosts the various prayer ceremonies held within the temple.

Jaba Tengah

One cannot help but speak of the second section of the temple! It is the most famous part of the site. It houses several water pools, including one dedicated to eternal youth and another devoted to the sacred spring.

The Balinese Hindus are accustomed to visiting this place at least once a year. Some of them bring water from the sacred spring home with them, as they believe it possesses many healing properties.

The sacred spring pool measures 20 meters long and 5 meters wide and features thirteen different fountains. The last two are dedicated to funeral rites. Mourning pilgrims come here to purify themselves.

According to tradition, the Balinese make an offering at the main temple before heading to the sacred pool.

Jeroan

The inner courtyard or Jeroan is located just behind the purification pools. Quieter than the other sections of the temple, this place is less frequented. It is indeed the place of prayer for Hindu pilgrims. It is very pleasant to visit after the hustle and bustle encountered at the purification pools.

Participating in a Melukat ritual at Tirta Empul

Melukat is a spiritual purification ritual practiced by the Balinese. During this ceremony, participants immerse themselves in the sacred water of the temple. To participate, visitors must follow certain steps. It is first advisable to wear a sarong, a type of traditional skirt. Next, they must pass their head under the water jet from each fountain, starting from the left. However, the two last fountains must be avoided, as they are reserved for funeral rites.

Melukat is a unique experience for understanding Balinese spirituality. It allows not only for self-purification, but also for connecting with the culture and traditions of the island of Bali.

NB: It is not recommended for tourists to drink the water at Tirta Empul during the ceremony, even though it is considered sacred by locals.

The temple of Tirta Empul is located approximately 15 km northeast of Ubud. The journey by car or scooter takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. The site has a large parking lot.

If you prefer public transport, a shuttle is available from the city for approximately 50,000 IDR (around 3.5 US dollars). It will drop you right at the temple entrance.

Opening hours and admission prices

The temple is a sacred place for Hindus. The wearing of sarongs is therefore mandatory. For those who don't have one, it is possible to request one at the temple entrance.

Admission is 15,000 rupiahs for adults and 7,500 rupiahs for children.

The temple is open daily from 07:00 to 17:00.

Best time to visit

To avoid crowds of tourists, it is recommended to visit the temple early in the morning or late in the afternoon.