Tirta Empul is a prominent temple complex and holy mountain spring, located in the village of Manukaya, in the district of Tampaksiring, Gianyar regency, in central Bali. The site serves as a legendary setting for a traditional tale of good versus evil and is a national cultural heritage site.
The Tirta Empul Temple Complex, built circa 960 AD, is also a silent witness of the old Balinese kingdom years, particularly at the time of the Warmadewa Dynasty. Another nearby and prominent site on top of a hill beside the complex is the presidential palace, Istana Tampaksiring, built during the years of the nation’s first president, Soekarno.
Tirta Empul, meaning ‘holy water spring’ is actually the name of the water source that is located within the temple. The spring feeds adjoining purification baths, pools and fish ponds surrounding the outer complex which all flow to the Tukad Pakerisan River. It is along this river, and various sites throughout the region, that many other archaeological relics entwined in local myths and legends can be found.
