The Holy Shower Tirta Empul Bali

Bali is not only an island of thousand beaches but also an island of thousand temples. It is because Bali has a lot of temples, a lot of these temples are included as ancient temples that are the age for hundreds of years. The temples in Bali usually have their own functions for the Hindu people in Bali.

One of the old and most sacred temples in Bali is Pura Tirta Empul Bali or Tirta Empul Temple. Pura is “temple” in Indonesian and Balinese Language. Tirta Empul Temple is located in Manukaya Village, Tampak Siring District, Gianyar Regency. It only takes around 20 until 30 minutes from the center of Ubud by scooter, or around one hour from the center of Denpasar city.

Tirta Empul Bali means “the spring from the ground”. The legendary of Tirta Empul Temple has come from the story of Mayadenawa an evil king of Bali hundred years ago that poisoned the villagers in Manukaya Village. Then Indra God made a holy spring to cure and helped the villagers of Manukaya Village. Then, this spring becomes Tirta Empul Bali.

Tirta Empul Temple is now functioned to do “Melukat”. Melukat is a religious tradition of Hindu people in Bali to take a holy shower and cure them spiritually. Tirta Empul Temple consists of three areas, the front area or “Jaba Pura” is the garden of Tirta Empul Temple, then the middle of Tirta Empul Temple is called “Jaba Tengah”. At Jaba Tengah area you can find the pool that has more than 20 holy showers. Then the last part is the temple or “Jeroan” where the people pray before and after do Melukat in Tirta Empul Temple Bali.

The special thing is you can try to do Melukat in Tirta Empul Temple even though you are not a Balinese or a Hindu person. Tirta Empul Temple also has a big pool where you can see a huge amount of koi fishes in various colors and size. In the parking area of Tirta Empul Temple Bali, you can also find a lot of art shops, so you can buy some souvenirs after you visit Tirta Empul Temple Bali.

Tirta Empul Temple Bali is located in a strategic area. You can find others tourism destinations around Tirta Empul Temple. You can go to Pura Gunung Kawi or visit the agriculture of Luwak coffee that are many around Tirta Empul Temple Bali. You can also some restaurant with beautiful views of forest or rice field near Tirta Empul Temple Bali. You can also go to Tirta Empul Temple right after you visit Tegalalang, or you can continue your trip to Kintamani from Tirta Empul Temple Bali.