Ha Trinh, an IT Business Analyst, is currently working long-term in Australia. With the nature of her remote work, outside of work, she likes to share her experiences of living in different places, experiencing culture and traveling to inspire herself and her friends.
Ha Trinh traveled to Bali, Indonesia and experienced the purification bath at Tirta Empul Temple. She visited and tried to integrate into an impressive Hindu culture at Tirta Empul Temple. This place is very famous with locals and tourists because there are only a few temples in Bali that have the practice of bathing in the holy water of Melukat. Here, tourists regardless of religion or nationality are allowed to experience it.
Ha Trinh traveled to Bali, Indonesia and experienced a purifying bath at Tirta Empul temple.
Experience the Melukat holy water purification bath at Tirta Empul temple, Bali
Tirta Empul is one of the most sacred temples on the island of Bali, Indonesia, about 20 km from the center of Ubud. The name of the temple in the local language means "holy spring". The water in the stream is led to two rectangular baths in the outer temple area, through dozens of elaborately carved taps. These baths are often the most crowded. Local Balinese people believe that the water from the stream leading to the temple and baths can cure diseases, as well as cleanse the soul. According to legend, during a battle, the evil spirit Mayadanawa poisoned the rivers and streams, causing people to fall ill. Therefore, the god Indra created this stream to heal people.
Tirta Empul is currently one of the most attractive destinations in Bali with unique architecture and many mysterious legends.
According to Ha Trinh, visitors will first need to buy a ticket outside the gate, then go into the temple, go to the counter and choose a sarong they like to wrap around their lower body. Whether wearing a skirt, long pants or shorts, they must wrap a sarong when entering the temple to respect the solemnity of the temple. Normally, locals will make offerings to pray, but tourists often skip this step.
After visiting the outside area, Ha Trinh moved straight to the main area of the temple, Jaba Tengah, where there is a holy water stream to perform the Melukat purification bathing ritual. Before entering the water, tourists need to rent separate costumes for the ritual, but if locals have prepared costumes, they do not need to rent.
To participate in this ritual, you must wear a sarong (which can be rented at the temple).
“The holy water will flow from the stream down through the taps in the bath, each person will line up and go through each tap from the left to the last tap on the right, at each tap they will get water on their face three times, get water on their head three times. And importantly, they will only pray for one thing during the entire purification bath,” Ha Trinh said.
After bathing in the fountains, visitors can slowly watch the fish and enjoy the tranquility in the adjacent lake, called Jeroan. Finally, visitors return to their personal changing rooms and return the rented sarongs at the temple.
Ha Trinh said: “I am a person who really likes to experience culture. So when I go to the temple, I learn about the local culture in a place with a large religion like India, I gain a lot of knowledge. Playing the role of a local, not only going to the temple to see and visit, but also to fully experience and pray, it feels quite interesting. In addition, after bathing, if you are truly sincere, like going to a temple in Vietnam while not following Buddhism, you will feel like you are purified of many negative things, your fatigue will also disappear, leaving you with comfort and joy.”
Balinese people believe that bathing at this temple will help cleanse and purify themselves, bringing health and luck. For foreign visitors, this is an interesting experience of the unique traditional culture of Indonesian people.
Experience and notes when bathing in Tirta Empul temple
About moving:In Bali, there are three main and most popular areas that tourists are interested in: Kuta, Ubud and Nusa Penida Island. Tirta Empul Temple is located in the Ubud area, so when going to the temple, you should combine it with other areas in this area to go on a day trip. You should stay in Ubud for at least 1-2 days to conveniently travel, visit and experience the entire Ubud area.
The right time to visit the temple:The temple is open from 8am to 6pm so you can go at any time. However, if you go near closing time at 5pm or later, there will be fewer tourists and locals. You can avoid the hustle and bustle and enjoy the atmosphere of the temple comfortably and quietly.
The water flowing from the holy pond is always crystal clear. Visitors can step down and step on the gravel floor of the swimming pool to immerse themselves in the cool water.
Expense:Entrance fee is 50K Indonesian Rupiah/person (about 79,000 VND). Sarong to enter the temple is free (if you do not go swimming in the pool, you do not need to rent one). Renting a sarong to go swimming in the pool costs 15K Indonesian Rupiah/person (about 24,000 VND).
In addition, when bathing in the Tirta Empul temple, visitors need to pay attention to some regulations. Babies with baby teeth and women who are menstruating are not allowed to go into the bath. There is a lot of green moss under the pool, which is quite slippery, so move carefully to avoid slipping. Of the total of 30 running water taps, there will be two taps used only for the deceased, so it will be prohibited to use them in the bathing ritual. You need to observe and avoid taking water from those two taps to bathe (you can look at the locals or ask the tour guide).
Every day, many locals and tourists flock to Tirta Empul to practice purification rituals under the spring water.
