Tirta Empul temple is a sacred area located at the upstream part of "Pakerisan River", and precisely situated at Manukaya village, Tampak Siring sub-district, Gianyar regency. The holy place of Tirta Empul is a "Petirtan" (sacred area) with abundant sources of water.
In addition, at the west side from Tirta Empul temple on high plateau with lush green hills is a direct border with "Tampak Siring Palace", built during the reign from Indonesia's first President, ie: "Ir. Sukarno". and his vice: "Moh. Hatta.
History formation of Tirta Empul Tampaksiring temple can be known from inscriptions that stored in "Sakenan temple", Manukaya village using ancient balinese numbered in the year 960 AD (Saka year 884), which explained that: "King Indrajaya Singha Warmadewa" give commandment to balinese society to repair or re-arrange waterway at Tirta Empul temple.
Besides, in Tirta Empul shrines, there are three (3) large springs existed in middle yard area, namely: "Tirta Surya (sun's springs)", "Tirta Bulan (moon's springs)", and "Tirta Bintang (star's springs)", where the existence of three large springs that spouted water all the time flowed to the-33rd showerhead, as we can see now.
All water which comes out from three of these large springs until now believed by Hindu community for purposes of religious ceremonies also ablutions ritual, and almost every day or on certain days, such as: "Full Moon (Purnama)" this place is always crowded visited by local and foreign tourists to do ablutions ritual.
Many people believed that the presence from the fountain of Tirta Empul temple is able to neutralize any type of illness / negative energy that attacked us, nor any kind of problems of life by performing ablutions ritual here will be able to restore things to be alright.
Tirta Empul Tampaksiring Holy Spring temple divided into three (3) yard, ie:
- Jaba Sisi / Nista Mandala (outer yard), here there is a holy shrines built right under a large old tree.
- Jaba Tengah / Madya Mandala (middle yard), on this area, there is a large building with function as a meeting hall, as well as serves as a place to prepare for any kind of ceremony, and temple ceremony routinely held every 6 months (210 days in Balinese calender).
- Jeroan / Utama Mandala (inner yard), here there are several buildings which carved with a beautiful balinese style decorations, also there is a most sacred building, namely: "Tepasana / Bebaturan", which bounded by two of (2) dragon's statue.
Each of yard there is an "Apit Lawang / Candi Bentar (split gates)" and "Dwarapala" a pair of statues located in front of it, as a gate's guard of each yard.
In addition, in front of meeting hall building in a separate environment, there are 33 fountains used by balinese hindu people to carry out for the ablutions ritual, with bringing completeness of small offering, such as: "Canang Sari / Daksina Pejati" (an offering that made out of coconut leaf), as a plea expression of what is wanted can be reached through the ablutions ritual.
On a separate place in front of Tepasana building on a big pond is another sacred place of springs sources, which come out of the ground, and this water pool is very purified by Hindu community in Bali. In addition, there are also several heritage of archaeological artefacts, that stored in a separate place.
Artifacts that found here, ie:
- Statue LINGGA YONI as symbol of "Lord Shiva" which symbolizes strength and prosperity of Microcosm or Macrocosm.
- Statue NANDINI, and SINGHA WAHINI, both these sculpture as symbol "Wahana" from "Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva" in the form of "Pralina" (Neutralize / Destroyer of all kinds of diseases / peril), in accordance with function from water at Tirta Empul temple.
- TEPASANA (Bebaturan) without a roof which becomes place to respect "Deity Indra", and this Tepasana has been carried out renovations in the year 1889 AD (saka year 1967).
While in "Usana Bali" inscription has been described that construction of Tirta Empul temple conducted during reign of King "Sri Masula - Masuli" that govern Bali, and in "Sading" inscription in the year Saka 1172 (1250 AD) be explained that King "Sri Masula - Masuli" ruled Bali island during 77 years, started from the year Saka 1100 (1178 AD) until year Saka 1177 (1255 AD) with its centre government in "Pejeng".
In the inscription of Usana Bali also has been described that in ancient times Indra's armies poisoned by King "Mayadenawa", then to revive the army, finally lord Indra creates "Yeh Empul" as an antidote.
Until the victory achieved by the Gods, that's why Indra was dubbed as "God of War", while other mythological tells story of god Indra, who fought against dragon "Naga Wertha" which always hides cloud in its stomach, then Indra using "Vajra" (Indra's weapon) finally Indra created "Lightning" to beat Naga Wertha, then lord Indra was dubbed also as "God of Rain.
So the existence of Tirta Empul Tampaksiring temple very important for Hindu Balinese people, as well as a place for worship which also used as an area to perform ablutions ritual (Balinese: "Melukat").
While other function of water which comes out from Tirta Empul temple also used as an irrigation, especially for farmers and local community. As we all knew that water irrigation (Subak) in Bali island very important, nearly 75% still dominated as rice farmers.
Until now Pura Tirtha Empul Tampaksiring so well known visited by tourists, both local tourists, domestic and foreigners when they enjoy bali holiday tour packages, and price of entrance fee ticket for you who intend to visit Tirta Empul temple will be charged at IDR. 30,000 per person.
Further explanation from tourist attraction of Tirta Empul temple and how to arrange sightseeing trip to this sacred area, please "Contact Us" at Sorga Bali Tours (Online organizer for holidays, Adventure packages and Bali tour service activities).
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