Temple of Tirta Empul
The unique water temple of Tirta Empul, a place that is revered among the population and enjoys great interest among tourists. The name of the temple itself translates as "Holy Spring", because it is the water from the underground spring that is the basis of the temple complex.
Legend of the Water Temple
Tirtha Empul Temple is the oldest bathing temple on the island of Bali, it was built in 960 AD. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu. There is an ancient legend associated with the appearance of a spring here, according to which one Maya ruler, Denava, was overcome by pride and decided that he was equal to the gods, so he began to destroy temples and forbade local residents to pray. Upon learning about this, the God Indru gathered an army and came to the place where the ruler lived. Maya Denava sneaked into the camp at night and poisoned the spring in it from which they took the water. On the morning of the war, they started drinking, and some of them got sick and even died. Indru struck the ground with his staff and a new spring gushed from this place, the water from it healed all the victims. Maya Denava was turned to stone, and a temple was built around the healing spring.
The construction of the temple
The Tirtha Empul Temple consists of three parts, each of which is separated from the other. There is a small market at the entrance to the complex, where you can buy souvenirs or have a snack. Pavilions dedicated to various gods are located on the territory. Some of them are made of stone, some of them are made of wood, decorated with carvings and statues. Parishioners decorate them with flowers, bring various ornaments to them as offerings.
The main attraction of the Tirtha Empul temple is considered to be three pools, two of them are open to everyone, and another one is closed on normal days and is used exclusively on holidays for rituals and rituals. The first pool, according to legends, preserves youth and health. There is a spring of clean fresh water in the depths of the font, and algae grow here at the bottom.
The second pool is divided into three parts, it is believed that it is necessary to perform ablution in them in a certain order. First, in the font with 12 taps, purification and stress relief take place here. When bathing in the next pond, you can get rid of curses. The third font has 7 taps, each of which is responsible for a certain: good, happiness, love, health, wealth.
There is also a separate swimming pool not intended for swimming, huge carp live here. Usually tourists take pictures with them and feed them. The whole territory is decorated with many sculptures, lots of greenery. There are rice fields not far from the Tirtha Empul temple, they are located on a stepped array and look very unusual.
