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Tampaksiring is a village just 36 km from Denpasar
and theTirta Empul temple and fountain complex is one of many
ancient and interesting sites that flourished during the reign
of several of Bali’s king and still today it is an important
temple to Hindu worshippers.
This area is so beautiful that Indonesia’s
first president, Soekarno, chose this particular site as his
private and presidential retreat. President Palace located on
the west side of Tirta Empul, which, with its high position,
has a commanding view of the beauty and natural surroundings
of this area. It is said that the temple here takes its name
from the name of the natural water spring located inside the
Tirta Empul temple and which shoots water out and eventually
into Pakerisan River.
 Tirta
Empul temple complex was built around 960 AD during King Chandra
Bhayasingha’s reign from the Warmadewa Dynasty (well known
university in Denpasar, today, has honored the grandeur of the
Warmadewa dynasty by adopting it namesake). Like most temple
in Bali, Tirta Empul is divided into three important sections.
The front section is named the Jaba Pura, the central the Jaba
Tengah, and the inner most sacred section, the Jaba Jeroan.
In the middle or central part you will find two rectangular
pools of water with 30 horizontal spouts or fountain gushing
out water into the pools. According to the tradition and history
or legend, each “pancuran” or water spout its own
specific name and special meaning, function and story attached
to each one. For instance, one is called the “Pancuran
Cetik” or “poisoned waterspout”. This poisoned
waterspout and the place Tirta Empul have a connection with
mythology and the battle between King Mayadenawa and Bhatara
Indra.
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