Pura Tirtha Empul

The origins of the source sanctuary of Pura Tirtha Empul are the subject of a legend. It is said that a demon named Vitra had gained possession of the water of all lakes and rivers and kept them locked up, so that there was a great drought. Then Indra drove a lance into the ground on the spot now occupied by the Tirtha Empul and opened up the springs, since when he has been known as the "guardian of the waters".

The central feature of the sanctuary is a lake which supplies water to four bathing pools. The water is discharged into the pools by 31 elaborately carved pipes.

The left-hand pool is for men, the right-hand one for women, for the performance of ritual purification. Once a year the people of the surrounding villages symbolically wash their pots, dishes and jars in the water.

In the small basin on the extreme right the "five sacred waters" (Pari Suda, Panglukatan, Sudamala, Tirtha Teteg and Bayan Cokor) are collected. In the center of the basin is a gedong reserved for the god of the source sanctuary.

Many visitors take away supplies of water from the springs. The water is used for various purposes, including rites of passage.