Bali - PURIFICATION CEREMONY - Day 2 (3 of 5)

(6 videos) Tirta Empul Water Temple

Indonesia has 18,000 islands more than any other country in the world, 17% of the worlds’ coral, a population of 284 million (4th largest), 127 active volcanos. Indonesia spans about 1,373 miles from north to south and 3,275 miles from east to west (the 14th largest country in the world). This size makes for island clusters of different cultures, languages, religions, food and clothing. With 700+ languages, 300 ethnic groups, and the largest Muslim population in the world, Bali is an oasis for Hindus. An important stop today was to experience an important Hindu Temple. Bali is the only Island in Indonesia that is predominantly Hindu with 3.8 million observant Hindus (87%) with their own, somewhat different version from that of India, called Balinese Hinduism. With over 20,000 Hindu Temples in only 2,230 square miles … there are about 10 Temples per square mile!

We experienced a few hours (many more hours than our guide expected as he waited outside) at the Tirta Empul (holy water spring) Water Temple, located in Tampaksiring, Bali, the most iconic, revered and cultural water Hindu temple in Bali and a spiritual destination for many. The Temple dates to 962 AD during the Warmadewa dynasty, dedicated to Vishnu, the god of water, and is known for and celebrated for its sacred spring, where worshippers for centuries have been seeking spiritual cleansing and renewal with its well-known 30 historical water spouts. People come to the Temple on a regular basis to collect holy water and bring it to their own temples. Temple purification and religion is everything, to the Balinese, who spend an estimated one-third of their income on religious ceremonies.

The legend is that this spring was created by Lord Indra in a heroic act to save his troops from the poisonous schemes of the malevolent King Mayadenawa, who in his pursuit of power, tainted the water sources to harm Indra’s forces. Lord Indra struck the earth with his staff, creating this sacred spring that not only restored life but also symbolized the triumph of good over evil. This divine origin story is the connection between the temple and healing and balance, and its spiritual importance to the Balinese people.

This holy spring provides continuous, crystal-clear water to the temple’s intricately designed purification pools and fountains. Believed to hold strong healing properties, the water is central to the purification rituals. I decided to embrace these rituals and participate in the Melukat Ceremony. The Bali government requires all those receiving purification to be accompanied by a licensed guide here to maintain proper cultural etiquette. I hired a spiritual guide and began the involved immersion in a 2+ hour journey of body, mind and sole cleansing. While I was carefully guided one-on-one through the process of offerings, prayers and immersion, Karen listened in and took photos/videos.

First, we entered into the outer courtyard (Jaba Pura) and learned about its significance, then the middle courtyard (Jaba Tengah), and finally the inner sanctum (Jeroan). The inner sanctum is where I found the sacred spring, with water flowing into beautifully carved purification pools. Each pool and stage of the ceremony is used for specific rituals that is explained, and I had to perform specific prayers and ceremonial cleansing in a very detailed exact order under the cascading waters. The beautiful gardens and detailed stone carvings, shrines, and pavilions surrounding me made it a very tranquil atmosphere (which also overlooked the Presidential Palace which was the official residence of the royal family of Ubud).

The purification ritual utilizes holy water to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit of negative energies, promoting inner peace and balance and embodies the desire for renewal and healing. Each step of the ritual carries profound meaning, believed to heal emotional wounds, alleviate stress, and pave the way for a harmonious life. This ritual is also believed to help with both medical and non-medical ailments, support career and business endeavors, and even assist in matters of the heart. I was told it is crucial never to attempt the Melukat Ceremony alone or unguided to avoid potential mistakes.

Daily offerings are prepared each and every morning, where women make these offerings by hand. I was given an offering of woven palm leaves with flowers arranged by color in specific directions and given incense to light with prayers. The Balinese do not just consider this their heritage, this is their life.

The ceremony is deeply rooted in the Balinese philosophy of harmony between humanity, the divine, and nature, using the holy water to restore inner balance and achieve spiritual rebirth. Although it is for Hindus, I was welcomed to participate as long as I understood to treat the ceremony with respect and proper intent. I followed the traditional structured Melukat ceremony of 5 stages in a specific sequence: the initial offerings at a temple shrine where I got to present an offering and light incense to show respect and honor the local spirits. Next was the prayer and intention setting where I was told to focus my mind while listening to surrounding chants, holding flowers between to meditate and set a specific intention for what emotional or spiritual burdens I want released. Then came the Rule of Three Immersion: I stepped into the sacred pools and at each designated water spout, followed a specific cleansing pattern (splash the holy water onto my face 3 times to cleanse vision and thoughts, then I sipped the water 3 times to cleanse speech, and lastly I submerged my head under the gushing fountain 3 times to completely wash the spirit and mind) This was done for each of the spouts – 9 in the first section and 3 key culmination ones in the second section with more specific intentions provided to me (see videos). Although this was an experience of cleansing and purification, Balinese Hinduism dictates other specific times when a purification is required each targeting a specific life stage or spiritual affliction: birthday, newborn, chronic physical illness, bride & groom, and leaders. The entire experience was very refreshing and calming and peaceful and more than worthwhile.Read more