Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul Temple in 2011
Close-up of the Purifying Pool

Tirta Empul Temple (Indonesian: Pura Tirta Empul) is a Hindu temple near the town of Tampaksiring, Bali Island, Indonesia, famous for its holy water where Hindu Bali people go for purification. The temple pond has spring which gives out fresh water regularly, which is considered as holy or amritha by local Hindu Bali people.[1] Tirta Empul means Holy Spring in Balinese.

Construction of the temple

Tirta Empul Temple was built in 962 A.D. during the Warmadewa dynasty (from the 10th to 14th centuries), at a site where there was a large water spring. The name of the temple are taken from the ground water source which is named "Tirta Empul". The temple is divided into three section Jaba Pura (front yard), Jaba Tengah (central yard) dan Jeroan (inner yard). In Jaba Tengah there are 2 pool with 30 showers which is named accordingly: Pengelukatan, Pebersihan, Sudamala dan Pancuran Cetik (poison).[2]

The temple is dedicated to Vishnu, a Hindu god.[1] The bubbling water of is the main source of Sungai Pakerisan river.[3]

On the left side of the temple is a modern villa on the hill. built for President Sukarno's visit in 1954, which is now used as a rest house for important guests.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Pura Tirta Empul". Burari Bali. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Pura Tirta Empul, babadbali.com
  3. ↑ Carroll, Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Adam Skolnick, Marian (2009). Bali & Lombok (12th ed. ed.). Footscray, Vic.: Lonely Planet. p. 202. ISBN 9781742203133. Retrieved 5 October 2014.

Bibliography

"Bali Handbook" by Bill Dalton - Moon Travel Handbooks, First Edition December 1989, pag. 490/491: "Seeking protective blessings and deliverance from illness, people journey from all over Bali to bath in this sacred cleansing spring where terrifying garuda scowl down on naked bathers floating among the lily pads. Seeing it on a rainy day adds even more mystery to the site."

Coordinates: 8°24′59″S 115°18′53″E / 8.41639°S 115.31472°E