On the island of Bali, there is hardly a temple that exudes such spiritual power as the Pura Tirta Empul temple complex in Gianyar. The temple is one of the Balinese state temples and attracts many more locals than tourists. This is no longer a matter of course in Bali today.
In Balinese Hinduism, the traditional cornerstones are the forces of good and evil. On the island, the locals believe that good must always triumph over evil so that personal well-being is not endangered. To this end, ritual ablutions are performed to free the soul and mind from negative influences and worries. The Pura Tirta Empul is an important place for this ceremony and is therefore one of the most significant shrines in Bali.
Where is the Pura Tirta Empul located?
The temple Pura Tirta Empul is located in Central Bali, about 15 kilometers north of Ubud and ten kilometers from Pejeng. If you are coming from Ubud, the road first heads southeast and then toward Bedulu. The temple can be reached from the north via Tampaksiring and Penelokan.
A visit to the rice terraces of Tegalalang or the royal tombs of Pura Gunung Kawi, which are only a five-minute drive away, can be ideally combined with a visit to the Pura Tirta Empul. The elephant cave Goa Gajah is also nearby. The Tegenungan waterfall can be reached from the Pura Tirta Empul temple in about 40 minutes.
The temple with a mystical history
For the Balinese, who follow the Hindu faith, the Pura Tirta Empul is a particularly important sanctuary. The temple’s springs are therefore also a very important place of pilgrimage for the Hindu islanders.
The temple complex consists of two bathing pools used for ritual ablutions and three individual temples. The holy water flows into the pools from over 20 gargoyles. The three individual temples are dedicated to the gods Vishnu, Jaba Tengah and Jaba Pura. Non-Hindus are allowed to enter the temple courtyard. However, some other areas of the complex are not accessible to tourists.
The term Tirta Empul translates as “bubbling spring”. An inscription at the temple states that it was built during the Warmedewa Dynasty in 962. The Pura Tirta Empul is therefore one of the oldest shrines on the island.
Above the temple complex is the summer residence of the first president of Indonesia, Sukarno. The head of state resided in the villa during his visit to Bali in 1954. Important state guests are still accommodated in the modern building today.
The legend of the origin of Pura Tirta Empuls
The story of the origin of the Pura Tirta Empuls is shrouded in myth and legend. Legend has it that the god Indra created the temple during the reign of King Mayadenawa Bali. He was able to take on different forms of existence, including those of objects or animals.
At some point, the king is said to have begun to abuse his power, bringing disaster upon the people and fighting against disobedient and unfaithful citizens. The priest Sang Kulputih wanted to put an end to this reign of terror by calling upon the god Indra to come to earth and fight the king with an army.
However, King Mayadenawa found out about this plan and poisoned the water of the sleeping fighters so that they could not carry out their attack due to illness. To heal the fighters, the god Indra created the holy springs that make up the Pura Tirta Empul today. The healing spring water ensured that the warriors recovered and were able to kill the king.
The holy springs of Pura Tirta Empul
The holy pool is divided into two parts. On the right and on the left side there is a basin with ten water fountains each. Each water fountain has an individual meaning in terms of its healing power. However, since it is not fully understood today what powers emanate from the individual sources, the Balinese use all 20 fountains for their spiritual ablution.
Numerous incense sticks and other offerings can also be found at the edge of the water fountains. The locals also draw water from the sacred springs to take home.
Immerse yourself in the spiritual culture of Bali
According to Hindu belief, bathing in the temple’s sacred springs leads to spiritual and mental purification. The ceremony is said to be particularly helpful in healing illnesses and protecting against problems, anger and sorrow.
The bath in the sacred springs is also open to tourists. For those who want to delve particularly deeply into the spiritual culture of Bali and experience it up close, a visit to Pura Tirta Empuls is highly recommended.
In addition, the temple is often described as one of the most magnificent temple complexes on the island. At certain times, special ceremonies take place in the temple that can be observed from the outside – an extremely interesting and worthwhile event.
Conclusion: Is a visit to Pura Tirta Empul worthwhile?
The temple Pura Tirta Empul is an impressive sight and always worth a visit. It is one of the most important temples in Bali and also offers tourists the opportunity to experience a Balinese ritual – ablution. While in many other temples in Bali, travelers are denied access to significant areas, here you can experience it first hand.
