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Bali guide › Religion and temples

Can you join the Tirta Empul purification ritual (melukat)?

Yes, non-Hindu visitors may take part, as long as they respect the ritual and come in a serious spirit. That said, although Tirta Empul is a historic and deeply respected temple, today it is first and foremost a showcase of the purification ritual for tourists. Few Balinese use Tirta Empul for the ritual, except during the festival held every six months, when tourist entry is suspended. Tirta Empul, at Tampaksiring (30 to 40 minutes from Ubud), is a water temple dating back to 962 AD (the Warmadewa dynasty). Legend says that the god Indra struck the ground with a staff and brought forth this spring to heal his armies, poisoned by the demon king Mayadenawa.

What you will see: two rectangular pools lined with a row of spouts, and worshippers taking turns for the purification, the melukat, often as a family. Visitors join the queue (and today clearly outnumber the Balinese). The melukat is a ritual of cleansing yourself, with the temple's holy water, of all negative emotions: sadness, anger, jealousy and so on. It is a very widely practised rite among the Balinese.

The big question many visitors ask is how to do the melukat:

  1. Put on a sarong (lent at the entrance) and leave your belongings in a locker. To enter the water you rent a second, green bathing sarong (around 10,000 to 15,000 IDR, under $1). Don't go into the holy water in the first sarong.
  2. Leave an offering, bought on site (or made in advance), at the temple altar, and say a short prayer.
  3. Step into the pool and start with the first spout, on the left: you pass under each jet, dipping your head, rinsing your face and making a wish. The water is cold.
  4. Skip the two reserved spouts, used for funeral rites (the last two in the left-hand pool, separated by a sculpture): ask a guide or a worshipper if you are unsure.
  5. Finish with a prayer at the neighbouring shrines, and don't forget to say hello to the koi carp in the large pool on the right before you leave.

Practicalities: entry costs around 50,000 IDR (about $3) for an adult and 25,000 IDR for a child. The temple is open from about 7 am to 6 pm. Allow 1 hour without the ritual, 1.5 to 2 hours with it. There is no extra charge for the melukat itself (apart from renting the green sarong), and it is up to you whether to take part (you can simply watch).

Verdict: a powerful experience, provided you live it fully and without rushing. If you would rather watch, stay at the sides.

Tip: come at opening time, bring a towel and dry clothes, and don't photograph worshippers without asking. Women who are menstruating are traditionally asked not to enter the water, so check the notices.

Prices, hours and rules checked in October 2026; confirm before you go.

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