Tirta Empul Temple or Tampak
Siring Temple is a holy spring water temple located in Tampak Siring Village,
Gianyar regency and it is about 39 km eastwards from Denpasar town. It is set
in the dale and encircled by the hill. In the west side of this temple, there
is an Indonesian President palace which has been found by the first president.
The name of Tirta Empul 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. Tirta Ri air hampul is meaning the water emerge or the holy pool
(Petirthan) which is the water emerge from the land. Built around the sacred spring
at Tampak Siring. For more than a thousand years, Balinese worshipers have been
drawn to Tirta Empul Temple whose sacred spring is said to have been created by
Indra and to have curative properties. The tradition continues almost unchanged
at the temple today.Over 1000 years old, the temple and its two bathing places
have been used by the people for good health and prosperity because of the
spring water's curative powers.
Tirta Empul is an important
temple complex and holy mountain spring, located in the village of Manukaya in
central Bali. The site serves as a legendary setting of a traditional tale
about good versus evil. It is also a national cultural heritage site. The complex, built circa 960 AD,
is also a silent witness to the old Balinese kingdom years, particularly at the
time of the Warmadewa Dynasty. Another nearby and prominent site on top of a
hill is the presidential palace, Istana Tampaksiring, built during the years of
the nation’s first president, Soekarno.
Tirta Empul, meaning ‘holy water
spring’ is actually the name of a water source located within the temple. The
spring feeds various purification baths, pools and fish ponds surrounding the
outer perimeter, which all flow to the Tukad Pakerisan River. Various sites
throughout the region and many other archaeological relics relate to local
myths and legends.
Inside the central courtyard,
referred to as ‘madya mandala’ or ‘jaba tengah’, pilgrims first approach a
rectangular purification bath where a total of 13 elaborately sculpted spouts
that line the edge from west to east. After solemn prayers at an altar-like
shrine, they proceed to enter the crystal-clear, cold mountain water. With
hands pressed together, they bow under the gushing water of the first spout,
carrying on to the eleventh. The water from the last two of the 13 spouts is
meant for purification purposes in funerary rites.
The myth behind the curative and
purifying spring tells of a Balinese ruler, known by the title Mayadenawa, who
is depicted to have defied the influence of Hinduism and denied his subjects
religious prayers and practices. The legend goes that this eventually angered
the gods, and in a campaign, god Indra sought Mayadenawa’s subdual.
Tirta Empul Temple Highlights
The hide-and-seek tactics of
Mayadenawa fleeing Indra’s troops took place at various places all over the
region, from the rivers Petanu to Pakerisan, and up to the north of
Tampaksiring. Hence, the names of the sites and natural features all reflect an
episode from the tale, such as Tampaksiring - tampak meaning 'feet', and siring
meaning 'sideways', depicting an episode when the fleeing king left his
footprints up the hill.
It was here that through his
magical powers Mayadenawa created a poisoned spring from which Indra’s
exhausted troops drank and succumbed. Indra noticed the fall of his men, and
soon thrust his staff into the ground where a holy purifying spring spurted
out, to cure the troops and to even bring some of them back to life. This
escapade became the legendary background to the holy spring of Tirta Empul, as
well as the holy days of Galungan and Kuningan celebrated by the Balinese
Hindus.
Good to Know about Tirta Empul
Temple
As with any Bali temple tour or a
visit to a holy place, it is always important to dress respectfully. The simple
Balinese temple visitor dress code is a traditional ‘kamen’ wrap around the
lower body plus a sash around the waist. Women during their periods are
prohibited entry to any temple or sacred site, and may enjoy the sights and
attractions in the outer perimeters only.
It is tempting to try out the
purification bathing ritual yourself; however the formal routine is strictly meant
for pilgrims and devotees. You might want to consult your guide who may ask a
temple authority for further details.
Far at the front of the temple
complex is a large parking area with its eastern side lined with art markets
and rows of shops selling various curios and souvenirs. There are also several
warungs or food stalls selling local food, snacks and refreshments.
Tirta Empul Temple
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00
Location: Manukaya village,
district of Tampaksiring, Gianyar, central Bali.
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