Tirta Empul history and present

Historically, Tirta Empul has been a site of political and spiritual significance. It is closely associated with the legend of the God Indra, who, according to Balinese mythology, created the spring to restore the health of his troops after they were poisoned by a demon. This connection to divine intervention has further solidified the temple’s status as a sacred site.

Today, Tirta Empul remains a vibrant place of worship, drawing thousands of visitors each year. The temple not only serves as a pilgrimage site for Balinese Hindus but also attracts tourists from around the globe who wish to experience its spiritual ambiance and beauty. Visitors can participate in the purification rituals by bathing in the holy waters, which involve a series of offerings and prayers.

In addition to its religious significance, the temple plays a vital role in the cultural landscape of Bali. It hosts various ceremonies throughout the year, celebrating traditional Balinese festivals and rituals that reflect the island’s rich cultural heritage. The site is often bustling with activity, especially during ceremonies when locals come to offer prayers and make offerings.

Tirta Empul temple ceremonies

The Tirta Empul Temple, renowned for its sacred springs, hosts a variety of ceremonies that reflect the rich spiritual traditions of Bali. These ceremonies center around the temple’s primary feature: the holy water believed to possess purifying and healing properties. The most significant of these rituals is the purification ceremony, which attracts both locals and tourists seeking spiritual renewal.

During the purification ceremony, participants immerse themselves in the temple’s bathing pools, where 13 spouts of water flow. Each spout symbolizes a different aspect of life and purification. Devotees, dressed in traditional sarongs and sashes, approach the spouts in sequence, offering prayers and making offerings to the gods. This ritual is not only a physical cleansing but also a spiritual one, allowing individuals to release negativity and invite positivity into their lives. The atmosphere during these ceremonies is often filled with the sounds of chanting, splashing water, and the fragrance of incense, creating a serene and uplifting environment.

In addition to personal purification rituals, Tirta Empul also hosts community ceremonies that celebrate important religious festivals, such as Galungan and Kuningan. During these times, the temple is adorned with vibrant offerings of flowers, fruits, and traditional Balinese decorations. Local villagers gather to participate in the festivities, offering prayers and blessings for prosperity and health.

The temple’s ceremonies are a vital aspect of Balinese culture, emphasizing the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. Visitors are often invited to observe or participate, providing a unique opportunity to engage with the island’s spiritual heritage. The blending of personal devotion with communal celebration at Tirta Empul makes it a significant site for both worship and cultural appreciation, embodying the essence of Balinese Hinduism.

Tirta Empul temple nearby tourist spots

Nearby to Tirta Empul you will find:

Here are five nearby tourist spots to Tirta Empul Temple, along with their distances and descriptions:

• Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) – Distance: 5.2 km Goa Gajah, or the Elephant Cave, is a significant archaeological site dating back to the 11th century. This historical site features a unique entrance carved into a rock face, depicting a mythical creature. Inside, visitors can explore ancient relics, including a bathing pool surrounded by intricately carved stone figures. The site is a blend of Hindu and Buddhist influences, making it a fascinating spot for history enthusiasts. Surrounded by lush greenery, it offers a serene atmosphere, perfect for quiet reflection and exploration of Bali’s spiritual heritage.

• Gunung Kawi Temple – Distance: 6.5 km Nestled in a lush valley, Gunung Kawi Temple is renowned for its impressive rock-cut shrines dating back to the 11th century. The temple complex consists of ten shrines carved into cliffs, surrounded by rice terraces and tranquil streams. The site is dedicated to King Anak Wungsu and his queens, offering insight into Bali’s royal history. Visitors can enjoy a scenic walk down the steps to the temple, where they can experience the peaceful ambiance and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

• Tegalalang Rice Terraces – Distance: 9.4 km The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are famous for their stunning landscapes and traditional Balinese irrigation system known as “subak.” These terraced fields offer a picturesque view, especially during sunrise and sunset. Visitors can take leisurely walks through the terraces, learning about rice cultivation and the agricultural practices of the local farmers. The area is also dotted with cafés and shops selling handicrafts, providing a perfect blend of nature and culture, ideal for photography and relaxation.

• Ubud Monkey Forest – Distance: 10.3 km The Ubud Monkey Forest is a sanctuary for long-tailed macaques and a lush tropical paradise. This sacred area is home to hundreds of playful monkeys and three ancient temples that date back to the 14th century. Visitors can stroll through the forest, observing the monkeys in their natural habitat while enjoying the serene atmosphere filled with towering trees and lush vegetation. The Monkey Forest also emphasizes the importance of conservation and the spiritual significance of the area to the Balinese people.

• Sari Amerta Batik Collection – Distance: 4.8 km The Sari Amerta Batik Collection is an intriguing cultural spot showcasing the art of traditional Balinese batik. Visitors can explore the workshop, where artisans create stunning batik fabrics using ancient techniques. The collection features a wide range of beautifully crafted items, from clothing to home decor. Guests can even participate in batik-making workshops, gaining hands-on experience and learning about the significance of this craft in Balinese culture. This location is ideal for those interested in arts and crafts, providing a unique souvenir opportunity.

Tirta Empul Temple Tour

extra information

During your Tirta Empul Temple Tour, your safety and convenience come first. Our vehicles are comfortable, air conditioned and we offer many extras to make your tour perfect. During our tours we provide sarongs for the visit to the temples and we have water bottles available. Our drivers are experienced and know Bali like the back of their hand.

All our tours are customizable to your personal needs and you can also hire one of our local drivers for a fully customized tour. Our drivers go to great lengths to give you the experience you’re looking for.

Sit back and enjoy your Balinese experience with a local safe driver.

Sama sama tours is a local family business with over 20 years’ experience. We have the best drivers who know all the hidden gems and can drive you safely around our beautiful island.

• Family owned business
• Safe drivers
• Honest drivers, transparent fees
• Airport transfers
• Half day tours
• Full day tours
• Customize tours

We are looking forward to show you the beauty of our island!

Learn more about Balinese Temples. 

Tirta Empul Temple Tour

Tirta Empul is located in the village of Manukaya – near the city of Tampaksiring (close to Ubud) – in the cultural heart of Bali: the Gianyar Regency

Bali Temple tour

dresscode & etiquette

Bali is known for its many beautiful temples. Most tourists will therefore visit various temples in Bali. The beauty of visiting the temples is the combination of culture, history and the beautiful sculptures and architecture. Each temple is more beautiful than the next, with impressive designs and beautiful details.

When visiting the temples, it is good to follow local etiquette. An important part of this is the dress code. A number of general rules apply to the dress code of the temples.

dresscode bali temples

Make sure your shoulders are covered and preferably wear long-sleeved clothing
For example, a loose-fitting blouse with long sleeves, or a scarf around your shoulders and arms (selendang). It is not allowed to wear spaghetti strap clothes and sleeveless tops when entering a temple. In addition, a low cleavage is also not done. The clothing should not be translucent and should not have holes.

Make sure your knees are covered
Sarong or clothing that covers the knees. In many temples a sarong is mandatory, which you can often rent at the entrance. It is not allowed to wear shorts, short skirts, leggings, denim and sportswear. Again, the clothing must not be translucent and must not contain any holes.

Dressing advice for temple visits for women
Wear a sarong with a non-revealing long-sleeved top and/or a scarf that neatly covers your shoulders and arms. When a sarong is not required, you can wear a maxi dress or jumpsuit, for example – as long as you make sure your shoulders are covered and the clothing is not revealing.

Dressing advice for temple visits for men
Wear a sarong with a non-revealing long-sleeved shirt. For men, the shoulders and legs must also be covered up to at least the knees. Where a sarong is not obligatory, a neat shirt that covers the knees will suffice in combination with a neat shirt that covers the shoulders.

Footwear
Sandals or closed shoes are sometimes allowed, but you may also be asked to enter the temple barefoot. As you will notice, the footwear is also often taken off when entering shops and homes.

Accessories
It is not proper to wear a hat and sunglasses when entering a temple. Turn it off as soon as you enter the temple.

etiquette bali temples

Other Bali Temple etiquettes
The Balinese temples are very sacred places for the local people and so it is important to respect their rules. In addition to the dress code, there are a number of important things when entering these sacred temples:

Taking pictures
It is allowed to take pictures at most temples, however it is not appreciated if you take pictures directly in front of or near the worshippers. When the Balinese are engaged in a ceremony, an appropriate distance is appreciated. Drones are not welcome.

Offerings
In many places in Bali, including at the temples, small offerings (canang sari) are placed. Much attention is paid to these offerings and they are very important to the Balinese Hindu community. You will also see that the offerings are made by Balinese in the traditional attire. You are not supposed to step on these sacrifices or walk over them. Make sure to walk around the offerings at a decent distance.

Menstruating
Something that is also important in the Balinese Hindu culture is that a woman who is menstruating is not allowed to enter a temple. Of course this is not easy to control, but if you want to respect the Balinese culture, women who are menstruating should not enter the temple.

Feet
Feet are considered unclean in the Balinese Hindu community. Therefore, according to the culture, it is important that the feet do not point to the altar and are not held high in the air.

Respect the Balinese culture
The Balinese temples are very important and are used extensively for ceremonies and prayers. Give space to the locals and make sure you don’t cause a nuisance. Show respect, don’t swear, do not enter areas closed to tourists and do not make noise in these sacred places. General matters as they apply worldwide in holy places include: not standing/climbing/sitting on the religious monuments, not disturbing the ceremonies and avoiding expressions of affection (kissing etc)