Tirta Empul
At the Tirta Empul Temple near Ubud, Bali, visitors can take part in a purification ritual, called Melukat, using the sacred spring water, known for its cleansing and healing qualities in Balinese Hindu tradition.
The process starts by putting on a sarong and sash as a sign of respect. With the help of a temple guide, we approach the spring-fed pools in the central courtyard. We were given an offering to hold with flowers and incense at chest height, closed our eyes to meditate before placing the offering on the altar.
Then, the temple guide splashed holy water on us and tucked a flower behind our ears. Moving to the first pool, named Jaba Tengah, we repeat a ritual at each of the 13 fountains, skipping specific ones associated with rituals for the deceased. The ritual includes chanting “om,” cupping hands to rinse the head and face with water, and finally submerging ones head under the fountain for protection and prosperity. The water was cold, and the floor rocky with fish swimming around. Participants were mostly locals who were familiar with the process and graciously accepted newcomers.
After the first pool, we moved to the second pool, named Jaba Suci, where the same process was repeated, this time with a focus on cleansing karma and asking forgiveness. The final pool, Jeroan, is for cleansing the body of illness.
After the pools the last step of the ritual was to express gratitude before changing into our normal attire and a dry sarong. We then explored other areas of the temple complex, including shrines and a koi pond to further immerse ourselves in the spiritual and cultural significance of Tirta Empul.
It was an amazing experience that we all really took in and appreciated. One of our favourite parts was the laughter and joy amongst the locals in the pools, it emanated throughout the experience and was deeply felt by us all.