Bali’s Water Temple: Our Cleansing at Tirta Empul
Some places don’t just call to you — they whisper until you answer. For us, that place was Tirta Empul, the sacred water temple in Ubud, Bali.
The Pull of Bali
While we’d seen photos and videos of this temple before, nothing truly drew us in until we arrived on the island.
Bali has a mesmerizing, almost enchanting hold on you.
Yes, it’s the people — kind, grounded, generous — but it’s more than that.
It’s how ancient stone walls line modern streets, how offerings of flowers and rice sit outside doorways each morning, how temples rise quietly beside cafés and surf shops.
Here, thousands of years of devotion exist in rhythm with modern life.
You don’t just see faith in Bali — you feel it.
It lingers in the air, in the sound of daily prayers, in the balance of art, spirituality, and family that shapes everything.
We were deeply intrigued — by the rituals, the stories, the graceful ways of Hinduism that infuse every moment.
Nyepi: The Silence Before the Stillness
By beautiful coincidence, we arrived just before Nyepi — Bali’s New Year celebration, known as the Day of Silence.
The night before, the island came alive with sound and color — parades of good and evil, enormous paper-mâché ogoh-ogoh figures lit on fire, drums pounding, children dancing.
It was chaos and celebration and storytelling all at once.
Then came the stillness.
For 24 hours, Bali goes completely quiet.
No flights. No cars. No lights.
It’s a sacred time for reflection — for starting the year cleansed of noise and distraction.
We honored it exactly as the Balinese taught us:
No music, no television, no bright lights.
Just candlelight, quiet board games, and floating in the pool under the stars.
It felt like a reset — for the world, and for us.
When Nyepi ended, we both knew what we needed to do next.
The water purification ritual at Tirta Empul wasn’t just something to see anymore — it was something we felt called to experience.
Arriving at Tirta Empuls
Early the next morning, we drove to Ubud — winding through misty rice terraces and villages still waking from their silence.
When we reached the temple, the sound of flowing water filled the air.
We were met by a temple elder, who gently guided us through every step — from setting our intentions to preparing our offerings.
He explained the meaning behind each fountain — what to ask for, what to release, and even which ones to skip (a few are reserved for funeral purification).
He smiled as he spoke, and I remember thinking how universal that kind of kindness feels — no matter the language, you just know when someone’s spirit is gentle.
Top 3 landscape that will take your breath away
The Cleansing
The water was cold — but the energy was high.
We moved slowly, hand in hand, pausing at each fountain as the elder had taught us.
We didn’t rush.
We didn’t try to understand everything.
We simply felt.
Each spout poured from ancient stone — steady, endless, alive.
We let the water run over our heads, whispered silent intentions, and released the noise we didn’t need anymore.
What struck me most was how natural it felt — not performative, not pressured.
Just honest.
What I’ve come to learn about both Hinduism and Buddhism is that there’s rarely a “wrong” way to seek peace.
The act of showing up — of opening your heart to it — is enough.
When we stepped out, dripping and shivering, we both felt the same thing:
stillness.
That kind of peace that hums quietly inside your chest, like the world is finally breathing with you instead of against you.
Afterward, we wandered the temple grounds — slow, quiet, and changed.
The ancient carvings, the gold-trimmed shrines, and the offerings placed so carefully everywhere told stories older than we could comprehend.
Monks moved between prayer halls with calm purpose, and the koi ponds shimmered in the morning light.
Everywhere we looked, there was balance — between life and stillness, between doing and being.
Reflections
This wasn’t a tourist experience.
It was a moment of connection — to the island, to each other, and to something much larger than us.
Bali didn’t just give us a memory that day — it gave us perspective.
That peace isn’t something you chase. It’s something you make space for.
We came in full of questions and left with quiet hearts.
Sometimes, that’s all the cleansing you need.
Tip or Trick
If you plan to visit Tirta Empul for a water cleansing:
✅ Arrive early (before 9 a.m.) — mornings are sacred, and it’s calmer before the tour buses arrive.
✅ Bring a sarong (or rent one at the gate) — respectful dress is required for the ritual and the grounds.
✅ Bring a change of clothes — you’ll be completely immersed in the water.
✅ Hire a temple guide or elder — for a small offering, they’ll explain each fountain’s meaning and guide your intention.
✅ Go with respect, not curiosity. This is a place of living faith, not performance — and the people will feel your sincerity immediately.
And if you happen to be in Bali during Nyepi, embrace it.
Let the silence show you what stillness can teach.
Watch the Story
See our full water cleansing experience at Tirta Empul and the magic of Bali’s Day of Silence on Mike & Stacy Abroad