Purification Ritual at Pura Tirta Empul: My Honest Experience (+ Alternatives)

Are you planning a trip to Ubud and considering the Pura Tirta Empul purification ritual? This review and guide may help you decide if it’s the right experience for you or if perhaps other locations better suit your expectations.

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Pura Tirta Empul, located in Manukaya Village, north of Ubud, is one of Bali’s most important Hindu temples. Dedicated to Vishnu, the God of water, its holy springs flow with crystal-clear water, attracting worshippers seeking renewal and healing through the Melukat ritual.

As someone slowly discovering my spiritual side, I looked forward to experiencing the Melukat purification ritual. However, when I arrived, something didn’t feel right.

The chaotic atmosphere put me off, and I decided not to participate. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t soak in the spirituality of this incredible place—quite the opposite! Are you intrigued? Keep reading to discover what I experienced at Tirta Empul, how my friends prepared for the ritual, and alternative locations for a more peaceful Melukat.

Is Pura Tirta Empul worth visiting? (Beyond The Ritual)

So, is Tirta Empul worth visiting even if you skip the purification ritual? Absolutely! I’d recommend it specifically for its architecture, surrounded by a deep jungle, and the powerful spiritual energy that flows through its shrines and courtyards. 

Tirta Empul’s history dates back to 962 AD when it was built around a sacred spring. The temple follows a traditional Balinese layout with three distinct courtyards.

The Jaba Pura (outer courtyard) is probably the area that threw me off a bit. It’s where everyone gathers after the ritual, and the visitors who practice it pray and make offerings before heading to the holy springs.

While there, I wondered how they could pray and truly feel the importance of the moment with all the noise around them. The striking red-stone gate on the left is the real architectural beauty of this area. Don’t miss the Koi fish pond, located on the left side.

Then there’s the Jaba Tengah (middle courtyard), home to the three bathing pools. Even if you’re not participating in the Melukat, it’s worth taking a look. Just imagine how peaceful those pools would be without the crowds!

But the real magic, for me, lies in the Jeroan (inner courtyard). This is the most sacred part of the temple, dedicated to prayer and ceremonies. And it’s the part that most visitors completely overlook! Here, away from the noise and crowds, you can truly connect with the spiritual heart of Tirta Empul. It’s an experience not to be missed. 

Pura Tirta Empul Purification Ritual: What to Expect

The Melukat Ritual is a Balinese Hindu purification ceremony that cleanses the spirit, mind, and body of negative energy and restores balance. “Melukat” literally means “purification for goodness and happiness“. 

Locals usually perform this ritual on auspicious days, which are times of renewal and spiritual significance, such as full moons, new moons, the last day of Nyepi, and other special occasions. 

Temples aren’t the only places for Melukat; sacred waterfalls and rivers, with their naturally peaceful vibes, are popular spots for spiritual awakening and awareness.

When I visited Pura Tirta Empul, our guide tried to explain (and it was a bit complex to follow along) the ritual steps before my friends took the plunge. Here’s a breakdown:

• Special Green Sarong: If you’re doing the ritual, you’ll need another (bright green) sarong. You can’t use the one you get at the entrance. If it’s not included in your guided experience, you’ll have to pay an extra fee (around IDR 25,000) and get a locker for your belongings.

• Meditation and Offering: First, you offer a canang sari (a small offering made of colorful flowers and an incense stick) to the gods as a sign of gratitude. This happens in front of the altar near the bathing pools. You hold the offering close to your heart, pray to the gods and your ancestors, make a wish, and then place the canang sari on the altar.

• The Bathing Pools: There are three pools you need to pass by. You start at the left side of the first pool and go under most of the fountains (skip the three related to death rituals – your guide will tell you which ones). Under each, fold your hands at your forehead, repeat the mantra your guide gives you three times, cup your hands to rinse your face three times, and then dunk your head under the water.

• Repeat at the second and third pools: You should start on the right side of the third pool. However, most people focus only on the leftmost fountain, which is supposedly the most powerful and the one the temple is named after.

• Final Meditation: After you’ve finished with the pools, take a moment to thank the gods and your ancestors in quiet reflection.

Why I Opted Out: My Honest Opinion

As I mentioned, I was really looking forward to the Melukat ritual. Before leaving for Bali, I envisioned a peaceful, meaningful experience. But when I arrived and discovered the atmosphere of the temple, something just felt…off. 

Call it intuition, but my gut told me it wasn’t the right time or place to practice the Melukat. So, I listened to that inner voice and opted out, even though my friends went ahead with the ceremony. It felt like the right decision, even if it meant going against the flow.

A few things contributed to my hesitation—first, our guide. I have nothing against him; I’m sure he did his best, but his explanation of the ritual was confusing, and his English was hard to understand. It made it difficult to grasp the essential details, like the mantras, the steps, and the meaning behind everything. That definitely didn’t help set the adapted mood for a spiritual practice.

Then there were the crowds. We visited Tirta Empul on December 30th, a new moon day—a super auspicious day for purification during a holiday period for most Western visitors. As a result, it was packed with locals and tourists.

Visiting in the afternoon probably didn’t help either. The calm, sacred atmosphere I’d imagined was nowhere to be found.

The final straw? Once arrived at the pools, I saw people taking selfies and laughing in the bathing pools. I’m not here to judge anyone’s spiritual practice. Part of me even thought, “Just focus on your own experience; don’t let others influence you.” But it just reinforced the feeling that this wasn’t the right way for me to experience the Melukat. So, I decided to listen to my gut and skip it. 

So, the Melukat wasn’t happening for me that day. But Tirta Empul is a beautiful temple, and my curiosity got the better of me. So, I explored the temple instead of waiting and wondering if I would have regretted my decision (spoiler: I didn’t).

What I Did Instead

From the outer courtyard, take the left-hand alleyway past the bathing pools. This is where you’ll find the real heart of Tirta Empul: the sacred spring itself. It’s a pool fed by a natural spring flowing for centuries, a powerful symbol of purity.

You’ll pass the main shrines and prayer areas as you continue along the path. Most of these are reserved for Hindu rituals and ceremonies, so you can’t actually go inside but can peek in and admire them from outside.

I just wandered around, exploring wherever I could. It was all about listening to my intuition and soaking in the atmosphere. The sounds of the bathing pools faded into the background, and I found myself reflecting on how grateful I was to be at Tirta Empul at that precise moment in time.

I felt lucky to be in Bali and happy that I’d trusted my gut about skipping the ritual. Exploring this beautiful temple felt like I was having my own little private, meaningful purification ceremony.

Other Temples Where to Practice The Ritual

Pura Tirta Empul is definitely the most popular spot for Melukat, but it’s not the only option. If you feel like the experience there is not for you, plenty of other smaller, equally sacred temples near Ubud can host the ritual.

Pura Mengening, nestled in the Pakerisan River valley, offers a more tranquil Melukat experience. It’s just a short walk down a series of steps from Tirta Empul. The ritual takes place in a smaller pool fed by the nearby river. The temple itself is a hidden gem, a serene sanctuary enveloped by nature.

Sebatu Gunung Kawi, near the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, is another spiritual haven for a more peaceful Melukat. The shrines are beautifully integrated into the natural landscape, reflecting the Balinese reverence for nature. It’s a truly special place for purification and connection.

So, still intrigued by Tirta Empul? Good! Keep reading, and I’ll give you all the necessary information to plan your visit.

Planning Your Visit at Pura Tirta Empul

How to Get There

Pura Tirta Empul is located in Manukaya village, about 14km north of Ubud. Depending on Bali’s crazy traffic, expect about an hour’s drive from Ubud. Getting there is pretty easy. 

You can book a Gojek or Grab (like Uber) ride, which is usually a good option for getting to Tirta Empul. However, finding a ride back can be tricky because it’s a bit out of the way, and drivers can be scarce. You have three more options: renting a scooter, hiring a driver or booking a guided experience.

Renting a Scooter

The most flexible and affordable option is to rent a scooter in Ubud (if you feel comfortable driving there). Daily rates range from around IDR 80,000 ($5) to around IDR 200,000 ($12), depending on the scooter you rent. Once you arrive at the temple, there’s a parking lot. You will pay around IDR 2,000 to park here and be assigned a spot.

Hiring a Driver

​​If scooters aren’t your thing, hiring a driver for a few hours is a good idea. Or, even better, hire one for the whole day and combine Tirta Empul with other nearby spots like the Tegallalang Rice Terraces (halfway between Ubud and Tirta Empul), Gunung Kawi Temple (near Tegallalang), and Mengening Temple (near Tirta Empul). For a rough idea, a 10-hour driver for three people with an English-speaking driver through Klook is about $35.

Guided Experience

Lastly, there are guided experiences. These usually cover pick-up and drop-off, the temple visit, and sometimes even the Melukat ritual (which is optional; you can just visit the temple). They’re hassle-free and let you choose from many available experiences. 

Best Time to Visit & Duration

You’re right, that is a tricky question! The “best” time to visit Tirta Empul for a Melukat ritual depends on what kind of experience you’re seeking.

For the most spiritually significant Melukat, aim for an auspicious day on the Balinese calendar, like a full moon, new moon, or the last day of Nyepi. These days are believed to have stronger energy for purification and renewal. 

However, they’ll also be the most crowded with locals, which can be a mixed blessing. Witnessing Balinese Hindus practicing the Melukat is a truly authentic experience, but it might not be the peaceful, introspective experience some travelers seek.

And, as I learned, if an auspicious day falls near a Western holiday like New Year’s, expect even bigger crowds!

Here’s my advice: For a more manageable experience, consider visiting Tirta Empul early on a weekday morning. The shoulder seasons (March-May and September) are generally less crowded than the peak summer months.

Remember that the Melukat ritual takes about 2-3 hours. Ultimately, the best time to visit depends on your priorities—spiritual significance versus a more peaceful experience.

Entrance Fee

The entrance fee for Pura Tirta Empul is IDR 75,000 (about $5), and you can buy your ticket right at the entrance. This ticket gets you into the temple grounds from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You’ll also receive a sarong to wear inside, essential for respecting the site’s sacredness. Important note: This ticket doesn’t include the purification ritual. If you’re interested in the Melukat, you have to book it separately with a guide.

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So, there you have it – my honest take on Pura Tirta Empul. It was a valuable experience, even though it wasn’t what I initially expected. It reminded me that travel isn’t about checking things off a list; it’s about listening to your intuition and finding your magical corner in every place you visit.

If you’re looking for some more Ubud inspiration, discover 24 unique experiences that will help you create unforgettable memories.

Sometimes, the most significant moments happen when you stray from the planned path. Hopefully, this guide helps you plan your own Melukat experience, whether at Tirta Empul or wherever you feel called.

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