Sacred Bathing Places

In Bali, water is not just life—it is tirtha, sacred and purifying. Across Central Bali, especially in the lush river valleys around Tampaksiring, Tegalalang, and Bangli, natural springs flow into ancient stone pools, guided through sculpted spouts into spaces built for ritual and reflection. These sacred bathing places invite both locals and visitors to cleanse the body and spirit, participating in a tradition that has endured for centuries. Tucked between rice terraces, forests, and temples, each site is a meeting point of nature, spirituality, and community. Whether hidden or well-known, these waters are more than refreshing—they are believed to transform.

Pura Tirta Empul

— The Mother Temple of Bali on Mount Agung —

Pura Tirta Empul is one of the most visited temples in Bali as it is one of the island’s most significant water temples. The temple is jointly managed by six traditional villages. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu, but the god Indra is also worshipped here. More…

Pura Mengening

— The Famous Gate of Heaven and So Much More —

A ten-minute walk south of Pura Tirta Empul, nestled beneath the canopy of a banyan tree, lies another sacred spring. Pura Mengening is built along natural pools and shaded bathing areas that invite visitors to pause and reconnect. More…

Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu

— Where Springs Flow and Spirits Rest —

Tucked away in Sebatu Village, near Tegallalang in Central Bali, just a few minutes drive from Pura Tirta Empul and Pura Mengening, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the great maintainer who often appears in various incarnations to provide salvation for humanity and who is also the god of water—which makes sense because water is everywhere here. Think tranquil springs, lush greenery, and pools so clear they look like liquid glass. More…

Goa Gajah

— The Elephant Cave and an ancient bathing place —

This is another ancient place where ancient meditation meets the magic of water, like Pura Gunung Kawi in Tampaksiring. Goa Gajah, Bali’s famous Elephant Cave Temple is a mystical cave, where monks and priests once sat in quiet reflection. Step down the stone staircase and you’re greeted by an ancient bathing pool, lined with statues of women holding water jugs—symbols of the sacred rivers of India. More…

Pura Yeh Gangga

— River Temple with caves —

Nestled in the lush valley of the Yeh Gangga River, Pura Yeh Gangga is one of Bali’s ancient and enigmatic temples, recognized as a National Cultural Heritage site. Its main sanctuary sits on the western bank, enclosed by a rectangular wall and featuring a striking Meru tower with seven tiers, crafted from wood and sugar palm fiber over a stone base. More…

Pura Telaga Waja

— Hidden and Wonderful —

Pura Telaga Waja was built in the 10th century CE as a hermitage center. For hundreds of years many sage attain moksha in theis sacred site. In ancient times its presence widely known until the island of Java. More…

Pura Tirta Sudamala

— Ritual Bathing Place —

What if a place could help you let go of what no longer serves you—not just with a splash, but through centuries of tradition? Pura Tirta Sudamala, nestled in Bangli’s green heart, is rooted in a royal legend: a quest for sacred waters to heal and transform. Its eleven showers, many symbolizing the nine directional deities, offer more than ritual cleansing—they invite you into a practice of renewal that’s woven into Balinese life. More…

Taman Beji Samuan

— Ritual Bathing in a River and in a Pool in a Forest —

Taman Beji Samuan, nestled in the serene valley of Carangsari Village, is a sacred Balinese site where spirituality and natural beauty intertwine. Descending about 200 steps brings visitors to a tranquil garden, where the gentle flow of the Yeh Penet River and lush greenery create a sense of peace and grandeur. The heart of the sanctuary is its seven sacred springs, each named after holy rivers from Hindu tradition: Gangga, Saraswati, Kausika, Sindhu, Sarayu, and Yamuna—each believed to carry unique spiritual qualities. More…

Pura Taman Pecampuhan Sala

— Waterfalls and Two Rivers —

Here, the journey through the canyon leads past moss-covered statues and ancient shrines, with the sound of rushing water and rustling leaves setting the stage for a deeply personal ritual experience. The temple is renowned for its nine sacred springs, each with its own name and spiritual significance, offering purification for body, mind, and soul. More…