Tirta Empul

Tampaksiring is a name and a village located 36 km from Denpasar. Pura Tirta Empul as relics of the kingdom in Bali is one of several interesting ancient relics to be seen and known in this village. Next to the temple at the height of the west part of the temple is the President's Palace built in the reign of President Sukarno.  The name of this temple is most likely taken from a spring contained within this temple named Tirta Empul. Etymologically Tirta Empul means water that gushes out of the ground. So Tirta Empul means holy water that gushes out of the ground.
Water flows into the river Pakerisan. Along the river there are several ancient relics.The establishment of this temple was estimated in the year 960 AD at the time of the dynasty of King Chandra Bhayasingha Warmadewa. Like other  temples in Bali, the temple is divided into three parts which are Jaba Pura (Home), Jaba Tengah (Central Home) and jaba dalam (inner yard). In the Middle Jaba there are 2 (two) pieces of rectangular long swimming pool and has 30 pieces of lined showers from East to West facing South.  Each shower, according to the tradition has its own name including shower Pengelukatan, Pembersihan, Sudamala and Shower Cetik (Poison). Cetik shower and the name Tirta Empul have something  to do with the mythology of the battle of Mayadenawa, King of Batu  Anyar (Bedahulu) with the God Indra. In mythology it is told that King Mayadenawa being arbitrary did not allow people to perform the ceremony - a religious ceremony to beg salvation from God Almighty. After the act is known by the Gods, then the gods headed by Indra  attacked Mayadenawa. Eventually Mayadenawa could be defeated and fled North next toTampaksiring village. Using  his power he created a poisonous spring (cetik) which caused  many of the army of Lord Indra die from drinking the water. Seeing this Indra immediately stuck his spear and radiated out of the ground water (Tirta Empul) and sprinkled the water to the gods to make them live again as normal.