Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Balinese from every corner of the island make pilgrimages to
Tirta Empul
. They come to
spiritually cleanse themselves and cure their physical ailments by bathing in the
holy springs
.
Legend describes how the springs were first tapped by the god Indra during his battle with
the evil Mayadanawa, an early ruler of the Pejeng kingdom. Mayadanawa had poisoned the
nearby river and made Indra's retainers sick, so Indra pierced the earth to release a spring of
pure and sacred water - the elixir of immortality - that would revive his flagging troops. The
new spring was named Tirta Empul, and has been considered the holiest in Bali ever since the
tenth century, if not longer. A
temple
was built around the springs and the complex is now
an extremely popular destination, both for Balinese and foreign tourists.
The
bathing pools
are sunk into the ground of the temple's outer courtyard, the water from
the springs in the inner sanctuary. Men, women and priests have segregated sections in which
to immerse themselves, though most just splash their faces. However, for pregnant women
and anyone who's just recovered from a long illness, Tirta Empul is one of three places in
which they must bathe for a special ritual called
melukat
. This ceremony requires immersion
in the waters of each of Bali's three holiest springs: the “holy waters of the mountain” at Tirta
Bungkah, the “holy springs of the plain” here at Tirta Empul and the “holy springs of the sea”
at Tirta Selukat at Pura Dalem Pingit.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: TAMPAKSIRING AND AROUND
By bemo
Gianyar-Bedulu-Tampaksiring bemos terminate near the market in the centre of
the long settlement. There's no public bemo service between Tampaksiring and Penelokan,
about 20km north, but you should be able to charter one.
