Pura Tirta Empul

Extremely serene,peaceful and calm, this powerful Hindu temple provides soothing experience. Ample car parking and shops all around, entry ticket needed for foreign nationals. They provide a sarong to be worn for entry to the temple. The complex is excellent Balinese architecture with a rich ancient culture and lots of temples inside.The sacred holy spring is mesmerising to watch .Also the sacred and important purification ritual is elaborate and meant to alleviate devotees from any issues. Medicinal and healing benefits of the purification ritual is well known alongwith providing purification of mind and heart. A serene lake with colourful filled beautiful koi fishes is an added attraction and not to be missed. A must visit powerful temple in Bali.

This place is just beautiful, the ancient architecture is stunning (built 926AD)!! Definitely recommend doing the water purification ritual. I personally was on the fence on doing it, I'm glad I gave myself the confidence to do so in the end. Even if it's a placebo affect, I definitely feel lighter and that I've left some of my darkness I've always carried on my shoulders for many years let go. It's a great feeling!

My visit to Bali’s Tirta Empul Temple was unforgettable. Built in 962 A.D. during the Warmadewa dynasty, this thousand‑year‑old sanctuary is dedicated to Vishnu and nourished by a sacred spring that still feeds the purification pools today. Visitors from around the world don traditional Balinese attire and step into the holy water to perform the Melukat ritual, moving from fountain to fountain in a symbolic cleansing. By great fortune, I arrived during a major temple ceremony that follows the 210‑day Pawukon calendar, adding a rare and profound dimension to the experience. Priests sprinkled holy water and placed grains of rice on foreheads, blessings that embody purity and prosperity. What amazed me most was that Tirta Empul is not just a relic of history but a living temple, still serving the local community daily. It truly stands as a timeless testament to Balinese Hindu devotion.

Recently visited Pura Tirta Empul Temple during our Bali trip, and it was a truly peaceful and spiritual experience. The temple is beautifully maintained and has a very calming vibe. Free sarongs are provided for temple entry, which is very convenient. If you wish to take part in the holy water purification ritual, it costs around IDR 100,000 per person (approx.), which includes the special ritual sarong and is usually open to a bit of bargaining. The ritual is well organized and deeply meaningful, giving you a real insight into Balinese spirituality. While you’re here, don’t miss visiting Istana Kepresidenan Tampaksiring (the Presidential Palace) just opposite the temple for its lovely views. Tegalalang Rice Terraces are also nearby and perfect for photos, and Gunung Kawi Temple is another beautiful, historic site worth adding to your itinerary. Overall, Pura Tirta Empul is a must-visit in Bali - peaceful, cultural, and surrounded by amazing places to explore. Highly recommended for first-time visitors and spiritual seekers alike.

I had the most amazing experience at this place. Taking part in the Melukat holy water purification ritual was truly special and spiritually cleansing. I felt incredibly refreshed and renewed afterward. The ritual itself can be a bit complicated to follow properly, so I found it much better to hire a local guide at the temple rather than booking a full tour. It’s more affordable, and the guide explains exactly what’s required for this meaningful ceremony. The local guides are also happy to take photos while you’re participating in the purification ritual. I would absolutely love to return and experience it again.

Spiritual and magical despite the crowds – worth it for the experience! 🌊🙏 We visited Pura Tirta Empul yesterday (December 28, 2025) and had a really memorable time, even though it was peak holiday season and super crowded! Upfront pricing details (very helpful for fellow tourists in late 2025): Entrance fee: 75,000 IDR per tourist (international visitors) – this matches the updated 2025 rate and goes toward temple maintenance. Locals pay 50,000 IDR. Sarongs/wraps: Free of charge at the entrance! They provide a standard sarong and sash (belt) for exploring the grounds, which is mandatory for modesty (shoulders and knees covered). For the holy spring purification (Melukat ritual): If you want to go into the sacred pools, you need to rent the special green sarongs/wraps (around 10,000 IDR extra – super cheap). Lockers are available too if needed (~15,000 IDR). The temple itself is stunning – ancient stone carvings, peaceful courtyards, and those iconic holy spring pools with water spouting from carved fountains. We didn't do the full purification ritual this time, but just walking around and watching locals and other visitors participate felt deeply spiritual and authentic. It was extremely crowded (as expected in late December – tour groups everywhere!), and it started raining which actually made it more atmospheric with the mist and reflections in the water. We still managed to get some beautiful photos despite the hustle – the rain added a dreamy vibe!

I had added this to my bucket list after playing bali monopoly lol. Seriously such a beautiful temple and beautiful environment!! Unfortunately we didn't get to pray and do the blessings, however we had so much fun feeding the koi fish (my personal fav🤭) and looking around. The sarongs were also a fun experience to wear. 1000000% recommended!

Visiting Pura Tirta Empul was one of the most peaceful and spiritually uplifting experiences I had in Bali. From the moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere felt calm and sacred, surrounded by beautiful stone carvings, ancient temple architecture, and lush greenery. There was a quiet sense of serenity that instantly made me slow down and take everything in. The most memorable part for me was the holy spring water purification ritual. Watching the clear, fresh water flow continuously through the fountains and taking part in the ritual myself felt truly meaningful. The process was well guided, and everyone was respectful, which made it feel both cultural and deeply personal. I also noticed how clean and well maintained the temple grounds were. The traditional Balinese design and the requirement to wear a sarong (provided at the entrance) made the experience feel authentic and special. Overall, Pura Tirta Empul felt more than just a tourist attraction to me; it felt like a place of reflection, heritage, and spirituality. It’s an experience I’ll always remember and would highly recommend to anyone wanting to see a deeper, more soulful side of Bali.