Tirta Empul is a 10th-century temple near Tampaksiring, built around a sacred spring. Its heart is the bathing pools with a row of stone spouts: Balinese move from spout to spout with prayers and offerings in the melukat purification ritual. Visitors may take part — respectfully: in a special bathing sarong, waiting your turn in the common line, and skipping the spouts reserved for ceremonies.
It's 30–40 minutes north-east of Ubud on the Kintamani road — an easy pairing with the Tegallalang terraces or a Batur trek day. A sarong for visiting is provided at the entrance; a separate wet sarong for bathing is rented on site, with lockers and changing rooms available. Arrive by 8–9 a.m. — later the tour groups stretch the queue at the spouts considerably.
Tips
- •Bring dry clothes and a towel — there are changing rooms on site
- •Move left to right along the spouts and skip the ones marked for ceremonies only
- •Combine with the coffee plantations nearby for a tasting with a view
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