Located in the region of Ubud, the Tirta Empul holy spring water complex is impressive. It is composed of several temples and pools and is mostly visited by the locals who come here to practise their religious rituals, in this calm place where the only sound to be heard is that of running water...
You will often see Balinese bathing in the pools to purify themselves, surrounded by the temples rendered colourful by the vast number of offering bowls. If you are lucky enough to come here during a religious ceremony, open your eyes wide!
We were invited to join the crowd in the water, where tradition and the healing powers of the spring water were explained to us. An emotionally charged moment, rich in sharing.
Legend has it that during the battle between the Gods and King Maya Denawa, he set a trap and made them drink poisoned water. After resuscitating his friends, the God Indra brought forth an elixir of immortality from a spring, thereby winning the fight against the King. Since then the spring at Tirta Empul has been considered sacred and a Temple was built there.
This temple holds great importance for the Balinese, the spring waters are reputed to have certain medicinal and curative powers and are the object of pilgrimages during which the Balinese come to pray and bathe in the temple pools. The temple itself is very nice and worth a visit, it is composed of two large pools with many fountains in which visitors bathe. Many religious buildings, pavillions and pagodas complete the ensemble and give the place a mystical atmosphere. Perhaps an idea for a therapeutic holiday ?