Bali — Pura Tirta Empul (Tirta Empul Temple), Bali, Indonesia
Visiting a working temple
September 2015
Pura Tirta Empul (Tirta Empul Temple), also called the Water Temple, has to be the best temple I visited during my time in Bali. A fantastic place. I liked it because it was the only temple I saw in use. It was full of tourists and, more importantly, worshippers.
The temple is a UNESCO site (listed on 6 July 2012), and the inscription reads:
“The Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: The Subak System as a manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy, consist of Supreme Water Temple Pura Ulun Danu Batur and Lake Batur, Subak Landscape of Pakerisan Watershed, Subak Landscape of Catur Angga Batukaru, and Royal Temple of Taman Ayun has been inscribed upon the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Inscription on this List confirms the outstanding universal value of a cultural or natural property which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity.”
There were rather strict entry criteria.
And I had to wear a yellow sash.
The temple, which dates from 960 AD, is dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu and is a bathing place (pertirtaan) with several springs and pools…
