Tirta Empul Water Temple

Tirta Empul, the water temple in the Gianyar Regency, not far from Ubud. It is a sacred site to the Balinese Hindu community, considered one of the five most holy temples in all of Bali. To enter, you must wear a sarong and show respect with a prayer and offering then you’re allowed to pass into the main courtyard where the holy springs are channeled through twenty-two carved stone spouts into purification pools. 

Each spout promises a specific protection or cure from eliminating poverty or disease to cleansing you of your sins, ensuring your business is successful. Cecilia and I lined up in the wading pool with the other bathers and waited for our moment to dunk our heads. I warned Cecilia to keep her lips closed and not swallow any water, though the Balinese do cup their hands and drink. 

In the first pool, we were blessed with the protection to travel, the protection of peace during chaotic situations, offered solutions to life’s problems and cures for skin diseases, tooth aches, bone disorders, hair loss, asthma and black magic. We were showered with blessings to strengthen our family and to release negative emotions/anger from other people.