26/12/2020
Tirta Empul Temple is located in the village of Manukaya, Tampak Siring District, Gianyar Regency. The Tirta Empul Temple was built in 962 AD. The name of the temple comes from the name of this spring called "Tirta Empul". This spring comes from the river Pakerisan. The temples are divided into 3 parts: Jaba Pura (front yard), Jaba Tengah (middle yard) and Jeroan (inner yard). Jaba Tengah consists of 2 ponds with 30 fountains which are named as follows: “Pengelukatan”, “Pebersihan”, “Sudamala” and “Pancuran Cetik”. Like other temples in Bali, Tampak Siring Temple also has a very unique and interesting history. In ancient times, it was told that a king who was very manly and mighty was unmatched in Bali. This king named Mayadenawa, a king of giant ancestry, son of a Lake Batur Goddess. This king is famous for his supernatural powers because of his supernatural powers he was able to conquer several regions such as, Makassar, Sumbawa, Bugis, Lombok and Blambangan. Because of his supernatural powers and throne, Mayadenawa became very arrogant and boastful, more than that, he even forbade the Balinese people to no longer worship God or Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa because he felt that he was the most powerful and no one could match him. Mayadenawa even told residents to worship him.
The news reached the ears of the Gods, so the Gods led by Indra God decided to attack Mayadenawa and finally Mayadenawa could be defeated and fled until he arrived in the north of Tampak Siring Village. Because of his supernatural power, in the evening Mayadenawa created a poisoned spring near the tent of Indra God's army. In order not to leave a trace, he walked with his feet tilted, so that the area came to be known as Tampak Siring. And the next day the spring caused many troops from Indra God became ill from drinking the poisoned water. Seeing this happen, Indra God plugged in his spear and suddenly springs came out of the spear he was plugged in and the spring that came out was named "Tirta Empul". The holy spring was given to the Indra God's Warriors and soon they were as healthy as ever. And it didn't stop there that the pursuit of Lord Indra to Mayadenawa was continued, and even that was known by Mayadenawa, Mayadenawa planned to hide by changing himself into various forms. Mayadenawa transformed himself into Manuk Raya (chicken), and the area was named Manukaya Village. But Indra God knew it all, and in the end, Mayadenawa turned himself into a sand stone and of course is still known by Indra God. Mayadenawa which is still in the form of a sand stone was arched by Lord Indra until it was only then that Mayadenawa met his end. His blood continues to flow to form a river called the Petanu River. The river was cursed by Indra God whose contents; "If the river water is used to irrigate the fields it will become fertile, but when it’s harvested, it will bleed and smell carcasses". The curse is 1000 years old. Mayadenawa death is celebrated by Hindus as Galungan Day, as a milestone in the victory of Dharma (truth) against Adharma (evil).
