Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul, is one of the largest and busiest water temples in Indonesia. The name of
the temple actually means ‘holy water spring’ in Balinese. Tirta Empul is located close to the
town of Tampaksiring in the village of Manukaya. The temple was founded in 926 M. That
places was a silent witness to the old Balinese kingdom, particuraly at the time of the
Warmadewa Dynasty.
It was said, long time ago there was an arrogant king named Maya Denawa. He has a
great magical but he did not believe in god. Knowing this, Bhatara Indra arrived to attack
Maya Denawa. But, Maya Denawa create a toxic spring that causing all the warriors of
Bhatara Indra were poisoned to dead. Seeing that, Bhatara Indra planted his spear and then
the holy springs is appeared. The water is used to cure the warriors.
Overlooking the temple complex is a presidential palace that was built for Soekarno,
the first President of Indonesia, in 1954. The government palace is now used as a place to
host visiting dignitaries and important guests.

How to Get There

Tirta Empul is a 40-minute drive from Gianyar. The entrance to Tirta Empul is set
away from the main road. There’s a large car park in the front of the temple, which is always
full of tour buses and cars. After parked, you can find the signpost and then you can go to
entrance ticket to buy ticket and get some information. The ticket is Rp 50.000 for
International tourist and Rp 30.000 for Domestic tourist. And free ticket for Balinese people
who want to purifying and pray at Tirta Empul. You should to put on a sarong before you
enter the temple or you can rent a sarong for a small donation at the entrance to the temple.

Tirta Empul Holy Water Temple

There are three main parts at the temple. As soon as you pay the entrance ticket for
the temple you walk through the Gapura and arrive in the central courtyard of the temple.
This area is called ‘Jaba Sisi Pura’. At the right side, there is a big pavilion. You take a rest or
just sitting there. Beside that, there is a lockers rental. You have to pay for Rp 10.000 if you
want to rent a locker. The function of locker is to put your clothes and other thing before you
go to the water spouts. At the end of the courtyard are two large doorways built into the wall.
If you walk through this doorway you arrive in the ‘Jaba Tengah Pura’.
Jaba Tengah is the most famous part of Tirta Empul temple. This area is used for
purifying. This section contains two purification pools. There are 13 water spouts in the left
pool area, but 2 of them just use for people died. And in the right pool area, there are 17
water spouts. Before do the purify, you should to pray and then you can start in the left pool
and dip to under the first water spout. Continue this process until you have been cleansed
under each of the 30 waterspouts that fill the two purification pools. The water in the pools is
believed to have magical powers and local Balinese come here to purify themselves.
Behind the purification pools is the final section of Tirta Empul holy water temple,
that’s called ‘Jeroan’. The Jeroan, or ‘inner courtyard’ is overlooked by most of the tourists
who visit Tirta Empul. Here you can find the holy water spring that feeds the purification
pools. The water is look so clear. The spring is filled with green algae and small fish swim
between the reeds. Behind the spring is a large temple. There is where people come to pray
after do the purify.

The Koi Pool

As you exit Tirta Empul water temple you pass through the large koi pool. This
section of the temple is walled off on all four sides from the rest of the complex, which gives
it a calm and relaxing atmosphere. This area is suitable to be a rest place. There are many fat
koi swim in the pond waiting for their next meal from the tourists. The fish food can be
bought at the small stalls that located beside the pond. The price is Rp 5.000. The stall also
sell many meals like snacks and cold drinks. Not just that, it also sell many souvenirs like
dream catcher, bag, shirt, dress, and many other souvenirs.
Seller
After you visit the temple, you can go to the souvenir stands. The location is beside
the park area. Here you can find many traditional handicraft like bag, shirt, dream catcher,
key chain, jumpsuit, etc. This area is suitable to buy some souvenir to be given to family at
home.
Enclosure