Tirta Empul Temple, "THE HOT SPRING WATER TEMPLE"

Sightseeing In Bali Indonesia near Tampak Siring, is the Pura Tirta Empul Temple (also named Tampak Siring Temple) located. The temple is built around a sacred spring.

Tirta Empul Temple, or Spring Water Temple, is located in Tampaksiring region, near Gunung kawi, about 39 km eastwards from the capital city of Bali, Denpasar.This temple is surrounded by spring and bath pool. In the center of the courtyard there is clear blue spring water bubbling up on its own. Balinese legend said that the spring water was created by Indra God when he had fought with Mayadenawa. Many Balinese come there for sacred ritual bathing (Melukat).

According to the history, that, that this water source is arranged and sanctified by king Indrajayasinghawarmadewa in the year 882 Saka (960 M). He has given the name with Tirta ri air hampul.

The name of Tirta Empul Bali is loaded in a inscription which is kept at Sakenan Temple, Manukaya village, Sub district of Tampak Siring, about 3 km from Tirta Empul Temple. In this inscription, the Tirta Empul is named by the Tirta Ri Air Hampul and then the name has changed into Tirta Hampul and finally become the Tirta Empul.

The temple and its two bathing spots have been used by the Balinese for over a thousand years for good health and prosperity; as the spring water really does have the power to cure. Regular purification ceremonies also take place here.

Therefore at the moment this pool water is sanctified by the Hindu society in Bali and they believe that this water source can heal various of diseases, hence every day this place is a lot of visited by Hindu people to do the ritual and sanctify them self.

The area with the holy spring water isn't easy access able - To reach the complex visitors must walk about 600 meters from the parking area to the ticket counter than walked down on 315 stone steps. Before take a cross on the bridge at the bottom of the valley make a turn to the left to see the first stone monument. Another group of stone monument is located on the left side of the main temple across of the river.

The whole area of Tirta Empul Temple is divided into 4 areas. At the most outer area we will find a shrine where the worshippers usually do their offering, it's a kind of permission to enter the temple area.

Then the second area is the area where we can find a big hall where the people prepare themselves before taking bath at the holy showers area- there are a dressing room, chambers, showers etc.. - next area is the holy showers area with several chambers - and several areas with showers in- and outside. It is some kind of purification procession in both pools in this area - considered to be the main Tirta Empul shower.

The inner most chamber is closed and locked for public. It only can be entered if we wish for holy water for certain religious purposes. Inside of the pool there is a small shrine to put the offering.

The other chamber located in other direction outside of these 3 chambers complex. This chamber is closed for public and only for girls those are not having their menstruation although their age is old enough to have menstruation.

The next area is the middle area - across the wall of this middle area is the pool of which the whole water are come from. We can see the bubbling water come out constantly. Separated by a wall to north direction of the middle area is the most sacred area of this temple. This is the place of the main shrine called Tepasana - a flat surfaced shrines the one and only can be found in Bali. This shrine is dedicated to Indra considered to be the god who creates the holy Bali hot spring water temple.
from: http://www.tourguidesbali.com