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Tirta Empul Bali

Bathing in holy water at Pura Tirta Empul

by Emiel Van Den Boomen

My blogpost “Relax, you are on the island of the Gods” described the way we experienced our trip through Bali. One of the highlights of our Bali trip was without a doubt Pura Tirta Empul, the Temple of the Holy Water. I decided to make this post a photographic journey, a feast of colours, traditions and ceremonies. Hope you like it.

Tirta Empul is divided into 3 courtyards. At the first courtyard there is also the pool for public bathing and even tourists can enter the pool. The water source at Tirta Empul is believed to be the source of life and prosperity.

The pictures show people who stand in line to make their offerings and to start bathing at the first fountain of holy water. They then continue to the next fountain until the last one, no. 13.

People from all over Bali travel to Tirta Empul once in a while. They come to bathe but also to collect the holy water in cans or bottles to take home. The water is then used at local ceremonies.

We visited on a Sunday when dozens of people gathered to enter the long rectangular pool. Balinese people have come to this temple for more than 1000 years to bathe in the holy water for healing and spiritual merit. A truly wonderful tradition and a feast to the eye.

Tirta Empul temple Bali

Tirta Empul temple Bali

Bali trip island

Tirta Empul temple Bali

Tirta Empul temple Bali

Tirta Empul temple Bali

Tirta Empul temple Bali

Bali trip island

Tirta Empul temple Bali

Tirta Empul temple Bali

Tirta Empul temple Bali

Tirta Empul temple Bali

Visit Pura Tirta Empul

I hope you enjoyed the pictures and should you decide to visit the temple, don’t forget to please respect the religious rules.

Tirta Empul temple Bali

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9 comments

Lindabee4 October 8, 2011 - 16:49

what does one wear if not short pants?

Reply
Emiel van den Boomen October 8, 2011 - 17:12

Good question Linda. We were given sarongs upon entering the temple grounds, to cover our legs (yes, we were also wearing short pants). You could even go into the water with them, no problem.

Reply
Jenna September 30, 2011 - 02:42

More beautiful photos that really evoke the feeling of the place. Can you believe I haven’t been to this temple either?! I certainly have heard about it. I’m not sure why my dad didn’t have it on the agenda…  I’ll definitely go there next time.

Reply
Emiel van den Boomen September 30, 2011 - 08:51

Jenna, this Tirta Empul temple was one of my highlights…so you still have a long wish list when you go back to Bali: and that’s the good news!

Reply
Jenna October 3, 2011 - 16:28

Oh yes, that is one thing I love– to have a list of things to do when I return somewhere. Bali is surprisingly full of things to do, so I still have a long list of things there!

Reply
Keith May 25, 2011 - 13:24

It’s simply an enchanting place which I enjoyed very much – certainly my favourite temple in Bali. I didn’t bathe in the pools but instead chose to wash my face and hands. 🙂 Great post Emiel!

Reply
Emiel van den Boomen May 25, 2011 - 13:31

Thanks Keith! I asked that lovely lady on one of the pictures if the water was cold. “Very, very cold”, she said. But I also hesitated because I didn’t want to intrude. But it actually is not a problem at all for you (as a foreigner) to go in and bathe. Next time?

Reply
Emiel van den Boomen August 25, 2010 - 16:23

Dear Danielle,
Thanks so much! I really appreciated your lovely comment. Talking about magical places, what about NYC? Completely the opposite from Bali, but I guess (I have not been there yet) it’s magic as well. Enjoy your stay in NYC!
Emiel

Reply
danielle August 25, 2010 - 15:54

Gorgeous photos! It truly looks like a magical place 🙂 Thank-you for sharing Emiel!

Reply

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