Source - Wikipedia & Bali Tourism and photos were taken by my husband
Tirta Empul temple (Indonesian: Pura Tirta Empul) is a Hindu Balinese water temple located near the town of Tampaksiring, Bali, Indonesia. The temple compound consists of a petirtaan or bathing structure, famous for its holy spring water, where Balinese Hindus go to for ritual purification. The temple pond has a spring which gives out fresh water regularly, which Balinese Hindus consider to be holy or amritha ..Tirta Empul means Holy Spring in Balinese.
Tirta Empul Temple was founded around a large water spring in 962 A.D. during the Warmadewa dynasty (10th-14th centuries). The name of the temple comes from the ground water source named "Tirta Empul". The spring is the source of the Pakerisan river.The temple is divided into three sections: Jaba Pura (front yard), Jaba Tengah (central yard) and Jeroan (inner yard). Jaba Tengah contains 2 pools with 30 showers which are named accordingly: Pengelukatan, Pebersihan and Sudamala dan Pancuran Cetik (poison).
The temple is dedicated to Vishnu, another Hindu god name for the supreme consciousness Narayana.
Another spectacular pond is a carved stone basin with crystal clear water, where koi fish swim. From all over the island they come here to immerse themselves in this holy water. Sometimes they take bottles of water home. Also tourists can free immerse themselves in one of the three clean, public pools.
The sacred spring has according to the Balinese healing powers. Thus The Balinese people go once every year to Tirta Empul here to bathe. According to legend the source is created by the god Indra. When his forces were poisoned by Mayadanawa he drilled a hole in the ground to make, which then would arouse his forces. This hole with water is the fountain of "immortality" with healing powers.
The people cleanse themselves in the holy waters of Tirta Empul temple to their health and happiness. The crystal clear water flows into another lake, which is protected by a wall. According to tradition, that pool is the Balinese fountain of eternal youth.
Anyone who wants to enter the pool must wear a sarong. These can be obtained from the entrance of the temple. You are welcome to cleanse you. Women need a T-shirt and a sarong. Take a towel, if you're interested and if you want to take a bath, because there is no dressing room. There is a dress code, and people who do not adhere, will be refused.
Water is very important in Bali and is used in almost all ceremonies and rituals. The waters of Tirta Empul is considered very sacred because of the magical, healing powers, which would the water contains. The geyser was created by the god Indra. All the water that is used in cremations in Bali comes from here.
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