Tirta Empul in Gianyar, Bali, is a sacred place of purification for Hindus. Many tourists come here to feel the spiritual energy of the holy springs, which are believed to cleanse the body and soul. But not all showers are open for everyone. Some showers are only for death ceremonies, so tourists should be careful not to take the wrong water.
This temple is open to the public, and anyone can perform cleansing rituals as long as they respect the rules. Visitors only need to pay an entrance fee of IDR 75,000 and can rent a sarong for IDR 10,000 to use in the pool area. If you bring your own sarong, you can use it for free.
Before entering the pool, you’ll need to change into a special sarong, then make a flower offering and say a short prayer in front of the pool. It’s a way of asking for permission to cleanse yourself. After that, visitors can enter the pool and follow the order of showers that are open to the public.
The Parts and Meanings of Each Temple Area
Tirta Empul Temple is divided into three main areas:
- Nista Mandala is the front courtyard where visitors first enter the temple grounds.
- Madya Mandala is the main area with the bathing pools and sacred showers.
- Utama Mandala is the innermost part where the main spring is located, and it’s reserved for Hindu worship.
The Madya Mandala is the center of all purification activities. There are three large pools here, each with a different function.
First Pool: Purification of the Self and Healing of the World
The first pool at Tirta Empul has 14 sacred showers, each with a different spiritual meaning and function. Here’s the lowdown:
- Pancoran Tirta Bepergian Jauh: It’s great for traveling long distances, especially abroad, and it’ll protect you against any annoying or chaotic situations.
- Pancoran Tirta Penyakit Kulit: It’s great for all sorts of skin problems and helps your skin bounce back.
- Pancoran Tirta Ketenangan Jiwa: Heals mental disorders, restores memory, solves life problems, and calms restless minds.
- Pancoran Tirta Rematik: is great for healing rheumatism, gout, and muscle stiffness. It can also help reduce allergies.
- Pancoran Tirta Gigi: It’ll heal toothaches, help with extractions, and get rid of bad vibes or black magic.
- Pancoran Tirta Sakit Tulang: It heals bone diseases, stimulates bone growth, and treats bone growth disorders in children.
- Pancoran Tirta Asmara: It’s great for strengthening the bond between couples and creating harmony in the family.
- Pancoran Tirta Ketenangan Emosi: It’s great for relieving anger and negative emotions, both on your own and when you’re with a group. It also promotes inner peace.
- Pancoran Penyakit Saluran Nafas: It’s great for coughs, colds, tonsillitis, asthma, and other respiratory issues.
- Pancoran Tirta Rambut: It’ll help you deal with hair loss, keep your hair healthy, and stop itching on your scalp.
- Pancoran Tirta Pengentas: Specifically used in rituals for the deceased whose spirits are still present. Regular visitors can just pass by.
- Pancoran Tirta Pengentas II: This is especially for rituals for people who have been dead for a long time. Regular visitors can just pass by.
- Pancoran Tirta Merta: is said to bring good luck, boost fertility and career prospects, and enhance charisma. It’s also believed to purify one’s surroundings.
- Pancoran Tirta Sudamala: This is a great way to get rid of all the bad stuff in your body and mind. It’ll make you stronger, improve your blood flow, help with autism and bedwetting, and bring you closer to your spiritual side.
Of the 14 showers, only the first 10 are used by tourists for melukat or balinese water purification ritual. The last four showers, including two pengentas showers, are only used for special Balinese Hindu rituals, such as pengentas ceremonies and advanced spiritual purification.
The Second and Third Pools: Melting Away Curses and Serious Illnesses
The second pool has two important showers, Tirta Pelebur Kutukan and Tirta Pelebur Sumpah.
They’re both thought to be able to remove ancestral curses, eliminate false oaths, and restore peace within the family.
The third pool is called Tirta Penyakit Berat and Tirta Upakara. There are six sacred fountains here, including Tirta Gering, which are believed to neutralize negative energy, restore inner balance, and aid in the healing of serious illnesses.
Guidelines and Etiquette for Performing Self-Cleansing
If you’re planning to perform cleansing at Tirta Empul, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Do the ritual with the locals or a guide to get the right order.
- Be respectful and keep your behavior proper in the sacred area.
- Please avoid bringing wet clothes into the prayer area.
- And please don’t take water from fountains that are marked for death ceremonies.
This isn’t just some tourist attraction—it’s a meaningful spiritual practice. A lot of people say they feel lighter, more at peace, and full of positive energy after cleansing.
The Origin of the Tirta Empul Sacred Spring
Legend has it that the sacred spring of Tirta Empul was created when the god Indra shot an arrow into the ground, causing holy water to burst forth.
The story starts with a war between Indra and King Mayadenawa, a bad guy who poisoned the gods’ army. To save them, Indra created a sacred spring that counteracted the poison and made them strong. This water still flows, and it’s become a symbol of healing and life.
Since the 10th century, Tirta Empul has been a place of worship and purification for Hindus. Even today, the holy water from this place is still used in various religious ceremonies because people believe it brings peace, balance, and spiritual cleansing.
Spiritual Charm That Never Goes Out of Style
Tirta Empul isn’t just a religious site, it’s also a spiritual tourist attraction for many foreign travelers.
The atmosphere is serene, the sound of sacred water is soothing, and the incense aroma is calming. All of these elements come together to create an unforgettable experience.
If you’re open to it, Tirta Empul isn’t just a tourist destination, it’s a journey towards self-purification and true peace.
