Bali Sacred Waters - Why Locals Still Bathe in Holy Springs

In the heart of Bali, the sound of running water is more than just background. It is prayer, presence, and purification.

For the Balinese people, water is not merely a source of life. It is a living, breathing bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. And among the most sacred of waters are the island’s holy springs, known as tirta. Locals don’t just visit these places. They return to them—again and again—because they believe healing doesn’t happen just once. It happens in layers, in intention, and in surrender.

To understand Bali’s soul, you must first feel its waters.

The Meaning of Water in Balinese Belief

In Balinese Hinduism, water—called tirta—holds extraordinary spiritual power. It is the essence of life, cleansing, and transformation. From temple rituals to family ceremonies, water is present in nearly every act of devotion.

But not all water is equal. Some springs are believed to flow from holy sources, blessed by the gods or guarded by unseen beings. These are the waters people seek when they are:

• Sick or burdened

• Starting a new chapter

• Preparing for a ceremony

• Seeking forgiveness or clarity

These rituals are not symbolic—they’re felt deep in the body. And that’s why locals still bathe in holy springs: not out of habit, but out of trust in their healing.

Tirta Empul – The Most Famous, But Not Just for Tourists

Located near Tampaksiring, Tirta Empul is Bali’s most visited holy spring. But while it may draw crowds of tourists, for Balinese families, this is a sacred site of genuine purification.

Legend says the spring was created by the god Indra to revive his poisoned soldiers. The name Tirta Empul means “holy water gushing from the earth,” and it does just that—through 30 fountains lined in ritual order.

Locals bathe here to:

• Cleanse their aura

• Release bad energy

• Start fresh—spiritually and emotionally

Before entering, they pray. They bring offerings. They wear a kamen (sarong) and tie a sash. They do not rush. Because here, every drop has intention.

How a Purification Ritual Works

The ritual is called melukat, a spiritual cleansing using holy water.

It typically involves:

1. Offering prayers and canang sari at the temple

2. Stepping into the spring pool, often cold and clear

3. Moving from one fountain to the next, bowing the head under each stream

4. Releasing breath, burdens, and attachments at each step

5. Sometimes ending with a blessing from a priest, called penglukatan

This ritual isn’t theatrical. It’s personal. Many cry. Some emerge in silence. Others smile without words.

Because melukat isn’t about fixing—it’s about remembering who you are beneath the layers.

Other Sacred Springs You Should Know

While Tirta Empul is the most well-known, many other holy springs across Bali hold deep local significance—often unknown to outsiders.

• Tirta Sudamala (Bangli): Hidden in forested silence, this spring is known for its powerful cleansing and peaceful energy. Locals come here for deep spiritual renewal.

• Tirta Gangga (Karangasem): Once a royal water palace, its spring-fed pools are both regal and sacred. People still bathe in its central basin for symbolic rebirth.

• Tirta Taman Mumbul (Sangeh): Tucked away near monkey forests, this spring is quiet, sacred, and tied to ancestral offerings.

• Tirta Buana (Karangasem): Known for its purity and secluded charm, it’s often used for private family ceremonies and individual prayer.

Each spring has its guardian spirits, its legends, and its energy. And the people know which spring calls them—at different times of their life.

The Role of Priests and Guides in Water Ceremonies

While some locals visit holy springs independently, many choose to be guided by a pemangku (temple priest) or balian (healer).

These guides:

• Interpret your energy and recommend specific melukat

• Provide sacred water from their own sources

• Offer chants and mantras during the process

• Help you prepare spiritually, not just physically

For visitors or foreigners, it’s respectful (and powerful) to engage with a spiritual guide. Not just for direction, but to truly understand what the water means beyond the surface.

Why People Still Come – Stories from the Springs

Ask locals why they still come, and you’ll hear stories that are not folklore—they’re lived truths.

A woman may tell you: “I came here after my miscarriage. The water gave me peace.”

A man might say: “I was angry for years. I came, bathed, and cried without knowing why. After that, I could sleep again.”

A teenager might say: “My family sent me before I started university. It’s our tradition—to begin with a clean spirit.”

These are not tourists. These are sons, daughters, parents, seekers—each arriving not just to wash, but to remember their place in the sacred order of things.

Modern Life, Ancient Water

Even as Bali becomes more modern—its skyline taller, its roads busier—the springs remain.

Why?

Because the springs don’t demand anything. They simply wait.

In a world full of noise, the holy springs offer stillness.

In a time of burnout and fragmentation, they offer integration.

Locals bathe in these waters not because they don’t have modern medicine—but because healing is not just physical. It’s emotional. It’s ancestral. It’s spiritual.

And the water knows how to hold all of it.

What It Feels Like – A Personal Reflection

If you’ve never stood beneath a holy spring, let me describe it:

The water is cool—shocking at first. But as you bow your head, it stops being cold. It becomes cleansing.

You feel the pressure of it—like a hand from the sky.

Your breath slows. You hear nothing but the rush of water. And somewhere between the second and third fountain, you stop thinking about what to do. You just feel.

And in that moment, you realize: the water isn’t washing you. It’s witnessing you.

That’s the difference.

Tips for Visiting Bali’s Holy Springs (With Respect)

1. Dress properly – Wear a sarong and sash. Some places provide them, others expect you to bring your own.

2. Bring offerings – A simple canang sari or ask for one at the temple. It’s your way of saying “thank you” before receiving.

3. Enter with humility – Don’t treat it like a photo op. The spirits know when you’re only looking for aesthetics.

4. Ask permission (if unsure) – Many temples and springs welcome visitors, but some are for locals or require a guide.

5. Leave something behind – Not trash, but intention. A thought. A prayer. A surrender.

Because what you take from these springs is invisible—and what you leave is felt by the island.

Water Remembers, Even If We Forget

In Bali, water is not just water.

It is history, memory, and prayer. It carries the tears of ancestors, the breath of gods, and the silent hopes of those who return again and again to its flow.

And that’s why locals still bathe in holy springs. Not because they must. But because they know something many of us forget:

That healing is not a moment. It’s a practice. That purification is not perfection. It’s presence.

And that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do… is let water wash over you, while the island watches—quietly, lovingly, patiently.