Pura Tirta Empul

The Holy Spring of Bali: Pura Tirta Empul

Pura Tirta Empul welcomes the spiritual devotion of travelers through the ages, who are now paired with the curiosity of modern-day visitors wishing to develop a closer connection with Bali’s cultural roots.

The holy springs of the temple, according to legend, arose from the ground with the help of the Hindu god Indra’s divine intervention and were filled by water known for its healing properties . For over a thousand years, Balinese Hindus have been making their way to Pura Tirta Empul, hoping for a spiritual and physical rebirth that the temple offers. The tradition of obtaining a blessing and purifier from the gods at Pura Tirta Empul is realized today as both locals and international intrigued visitors bathe in the holy activities’ tranquility.

In an expansive temple complex, the grandeur of Pura Tirta Empul unfolds, housing three separate temples and three bathing locations that invite visitors to a world of spiritual reverential. Belonging to the nine State temples of Bali, Pura Tirta Empul is a place of the sacred springs – the shrine that epitomizes the eternal spirit of the Balinese culture.

Tirta Empul is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Hindu God. In the Balinese language, Tirta Empul loosely translated means water gushing from the earth, which for this reason Tirta Empul is regarded as a holy spring. The Tirta Empul Temple includes shrines to Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, as well as one for Indra and Mount Batur. It is considered one of the holiest water sources in Bali. Furthermore, the temple also worships Indra, the all-powerful god of thunder and lightning and the eminent auspicious power of Mount Batur .

Tirta Empul also hosts the holiest water source in Bali, with springs believed to hold purification power.Men, women, and children from all walks of life and different cultures flock to the location to seek the rebirth of self with the hope for divine intervention and blessings . Thus, Tirta Empul Temple is the quintessential water temple in the heart of Bali where culture and spirituality are deeply rooted in the Balinese way of life . The sanctity and the surrounding calm environment of the place attract believers and nonbelievers wishing to experience spiritual and meditation awakening.

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History:

As the legend goes, in ancient Bali, there was a ruthless ruler, Mayadenawa, who had defied Hinduism and oppressed religious worship among his people. This king, known for his divine powers and the ability to disappear at a whim, pronounced himself to be a god. The child of King Jayapangus and the goddess Dewi Danu , Mayadenawa believed himself to be the god-king and had no adversary in the land. The demigod denied his people religious practices or perform their rites as they lived in despair in the great King’s reign.

However, a group of Balinese priests climbed God’s abode, Tohlangkir, which would later be called Mount Agung, and prayed to the heavenly places for salvation. It was then that Lord Indra, the god of the heavens, descended from the skies to contest the godless king

Thus, the battle of the divine descended into a relentless chase over the rugged landscape of Bali. The banks of Petanu with its winding river gave way to the serenades of Pakerisan, continuing over verdant forests to the north – to the cool grounds of Tampaksiring . The landscape became a backdrop of good versus evil, with each site marking a step of the king's fall from power.

The very land itself would become the canvas for this drama, each place destined to witness the contest between darkness and light. And the very names of these, like Tampaksiring, “tampak meant ‘feet’, siring meant ‘sideways’ bore testament of the king performing death-defying acrobatics to avoid capture, his feet stamping into the hillside.

However, the resourceful Mayadenawa devised a heinous plan to end the chase once and for all. Through the abuse of dark magic, he created a spring poisoned with venom and disguised it as the ultimate gift to his enemies – the divine troops were weary and tired, and their thirst appeared insatiable despite nearing their foe . In their naivety and agony, the troops drank from the spring deeply, and its poison entered their bloodstream with deadly results. Observing his most loyal warriors being murdered by the spring, Indra succeeded in quickly restoring justice by antagonizing his staff into the ground. Miraculously, a spring purified by the purifying waters began to flow, curing the bodies of the poisoned troops and reviving casualties on the death’s door.

Not only did this heroic act save his loyal warriors, but it also bore the sacred spring of Tirta Empul, a fount of purity and newness that Balinese Hindus worship to date. Additionally, the event marks the most sacred activities during the Galungan and Kuningan celebrations in honor of the power of righteousness and the divine in the fight against darkness.

Feeling the need to flee one final time, Mayadenawa shapeshifted into numerous forms, but each one was no match for the divine force of Indra following him. As the chase concluded, Mayadenawa shapeshifted one last time, turning into a giant rock to avoid capture. Yet, using an arrow of immense force to break through the seemingly impenetrable rock, Indra killed the evil king and conquered the darkness he represented.

According to the myth, the arrow that killed Mayadenawa was shot on Wednesday during the 11th week of the Balinese Pawukon calendar . This day is now celebrated as Galungan Day. The same river that absorbed the tyrant’s blood gave way to the Petanu River . The cursed river’s Balinese designation, Petanu, means “cursed river.”

With supernatural power to vanish out of sight, Mayadenawa had come to believe that he was the dearest of them all, a god independent of his subjects and everything. Mayadenawa and the legend Lacking the guidance of divine inspiration and the sight of religious ceremonies and general rites of their origins, the people of Mayadenawa lived disgruntling and suffering. Desperate to free themselves from suffering, a few brave priests set out for Tohlangkir the ancient name of Mount Agung seeking the help of the gods residing in the highest spiritual sanctuaries. The gods answered their secret cries and sent lord Indra to seek no less other than the lost hesitant soul of the godless king.

The Temple:

The temple’s layout follows the traditional architectural arrangement of Balinese temples, with three main sections, each with its own purpose and significance.

Outer Compound

The outer compound is the entrance to the temple complex, demarcated by an ornate gate decorated with typical Balinese carvings and sculptures.

Central Compound

The heart of Tirta Empul, the central compound, hosts the sacred bathing pools, Pelebon, where devotees perform ritual cleansing and spiritual purification.

Jeroan (Inner Compound)

The third section of the temple is beyond the central compound, called jeroan. This section is reserved for worship, meditation, and prayer and contains most of the temple’s main shrines and altars. Complex pavilions and decorated shrines adorn the jeroan section, symbolizing the temple’s deference and spiritual importance.

In the central courtyard or madya mandala, the pilgrims commence their sacred rites of purification, following the ancient ways of Balinese Hinduism.

On the path to the court lays a large rectangular bath with a row of 13 spouts surrounding perimeters, each representing divine grace and rejuvenation. The deity receives prayer and homage at a small altar-like pool at the edge of the water. They press their hands together in prayer positions and accept the blessing of the first spout, humbly bowing as the clear, cold mountain water courses down over them. The pure water purifies the body, washing away impurities, and is believed to adjust the spirit.

The two last of the 13 spouts are used only for funerary rites’ purification.

After saying your goodbyes to the holy waters of Tirta Empul, a divine escape awaits you before exiting. Stepping into the calm tranquility of the temple grounds, you notice a sizable pool with colorful Koi fish swimming peacefully. This peaceful retreat is surrounded on all sides by high walls, providing another respite from the frantic activities within the main temple buildings. The surroundings are enhanced by the atmosphere of the quiet little oasis. The scale Koi fish slowly swim around the transparent pool, reflecting the slow pace of life in Tirta Empul itself.

You can feel your spirit calm around the quiet serenity of the pool and the innocent presence of the Koi fish. As you pause and linger over thoughts and inner peace, you are gently invited to take a few minutes longer before leaving this heavenly sanctuary.

Entering the inner courtyard, you will arrive at the 'Jaba Tengah' area which is the main area of the temple. The holy springs here bubble up into a large, crystal-clear pool within the temple and gush out through 30 waterspouts into the two sacred purification pools. Local Balinese and Hindu worshippers stand in long lines in the pools waiting to dip their heads under the water spouts in a purification ritual known as 'melukat'.

Bathers start in the pool on the left side standing in the pool to the waist under the first water spout. Once they have cleansed themselves under the first spout they join the next queue. This process is continued until they have cleansed themselves under each waterspout. However, there are two spouts that are meant only for cleansing the dead and are prohibited to be used by the living for the 'melukat' ritual.

The temple dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of water, Pura Tirta Empul got its name; “water coming from the earth,” name. The title of the temple as a holy spring is accentuated as life-giving water gushes across the ground in honor of a deity’s strength. Pura Tirta Empul temple compound is a collection of shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, and Indra is a significant testimony temples’ ancient elegance. . Some of the holiest water sources in Bali with their purifying impact on the creatures that drink or shower in the springs are these temple ponds. Pura Tirta Empul, with a wide array of other small shrines and pavilions, is devoted to Vishnu, as its holiest swimming pool built around a large, bubbling spring. The symmetrical temple right at the center of the temple compound see gods. The Hindu deity has always impacted Balinese traditions, one of their temples’ many centers of adoration.

The holy springs’ steady flow of water provides inspiring tranquility and a symbol of purity that the deity has imbued . Amid the peaceful retreat, international guests are in awe of the temple’s rituals and the mysticism that surrounds them.