At the beginning of the year while I was in Bali, I had the opportunity to take a trip and visit the Tirta Empul Water Temple. It was a moving, unique and cleansing experience.
Pura Tirta Empul was founded in 926 A.D during the Warmadewa Dynasty of Bali. In Hindu folklore, the story of the temple is that God Indra was at war with King Mayanadenawa, an evil king. King Mayanadenawa created a poisonous spring to destroy the troops of God Indra. God Indra’s troops drank from the poisoned water. The army became fatigued and toxified by the water. God Indra was not happy. He struck the ground with a pennant shaped weapon. Instantly, a spring of water appeared. The troops drank from the spring water and recovered, to then defeat the evil king.
From the Hindu folklore, King Indrajaya Sighe Warmadewa gave the name, Tirta Empul, holy water spring, to the temple.
Today, the temple is still a holy/sacred water spring to the Balinese people. The sacred spring water is sourced from the Pakerisan River. The Balinese people come to Tirta Empul Temple for their purification bathes, blessings and Hindu rituals.
Tirta Empul Temple is dedicated to Vishnu the Hindu God of water.
There are 3 sections of the temple. Outer, central and inner compounds. There is a total of 30 fountains at the temple. The functioning pools have 13 fountains, then 2 and lastly 6 fountains. The fountains are ordered starting west and moving along each fountain to east. The temple is extremely popular with tourists to take part in the melukat, purification ritual. The ritual is to cleanse the mind, body and soul of impurities. the last 2 fountains of the 13 are specifically for bereaved and funeral rituals.
Overlooking the ancient temple and beautiful grounds is the Presidential palace, built in 1954. It was built for the first president of Indonesia, Soekarno. Now, it is used to host important guests.
Well, what can I say. It was well worth the trip.
It took an hour and a half to two hours to get there from Legian. Pura Tirta Empul Temple is 30 minutes from Ubud in the village of Tampaksiring.
I feel my experience would be a very different story if I had of been at the temple with all the crowds. My driver and I arrived nice and early before the crowds. It was quiet and peaceful. I was able to absorb and embrace the full spiritual experience. After the purification ritual I had the privilege of praying at the temple with my local driver and be blessed by the priest.
As a visitor to Bali, I feel it is so important to be respectful and open minded of the Balinese culture and the beautiful people. I am grateful to the Balinese people for being so welcoming, sharing and allow us to learn and embrace the culture, traditions and spiritual way of life.
You just never know. You just might learn something or meet someone that changes or inspires your life.