Tirtha Empul Temple


Pura Tirtha Empul Tampaksiring





Tirtha Empul temple
Situated in a valley in the northeast corner of Tampaksiring under a spectacular banyan tree, 37 km northeast of Denpasar at the end of a well signposted road, the Tirtha Empul temple and its 20 small sugar palm thatched shrines are beautifully decorated and maintained. Savor the serene atmosphere of the complex, which is set  against a backdrop of surviving forest. Even the souvenir shop outside the temple is neat and orderly. Titha Empul is on nearly every tour group’s central Bali itinerary.

There ‘s a large square altar dedicated to Batara Indra and elaborate carvings adorn the lichen covered walls surrounding the pools. Built under the rule of Sri Candrabhaya Singha Warmadewa in the 10th century, the complex was completely  restored and given a new paint job in 1969. Tirtha Empul conforms to the structure of most Balinese temples. It’s divided into three main courtyards : the front, the middle, and the inner sanctum. Backing the outer courtyard are two rectangular bathing pools, one each for men and women. According to tradition, each of the pool’s 15 fountains has specific function: spiritual purification, cleansing from evil, antidote to poison. The natural fresh water spring at a higher level  is the source of  the water that bubbles up under the pools.
The water is so clear plants growing at the bottom of the pool are clearly visible, as are a number of fish and rather large eel. Because it’s believed that from this spring bubbles the elixir of immortality. It’s surrounded by a wall to prevent it from being profaned.

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