Day 5
At 7:30am we left to go to the holy water temple. Tirta Empul was built around 926 A.D. It is said that the god Indra created it because another had poisoned his powers. So he pierced the earth to bring immortality upon him from the holy water. The Balinese come to pray or purify themselves and others by submerging into the holy water. It was a privilege to be able to go into the temple alongside Balinese men and women who came to pray. Most looked as thought they were praying but I also witnessed what looked to be someone purifying another. In front of one of the fountains, a man held a woman underneath the water. She sounded as if she was in pain and moaned while the man splashed and patted her over and over again. It was a bit overwhelming and uncomfortable to watch, but you have to remember that you are in their holy place and have to respect their actions. The temple works is by starting at the left most fountain and then bathe at each one after that. The only two fountains we weren't allowed to bathe in were the last two as these were made for cremation only. At each fountain you raise your hands to your forehead in a praying position and either say a prayer or make a wish. We were told it doesn't matter who you pray to. You can be Christian or Hindu and the gods will still hear you. You then can either drink the water or put your head under the fountain. Here in Bali, the head is a part of the body that is sacred. It's not appropriate to touch someone's head such as a small child like we would in the states. So I imagine the water pouring on the head is symbolic in some way. In the front of the temple was a large pool filled with the biggest coy I have ever seen. Dwita told us that the fish have been there for hundreds of years and were placed by the gods. The reason they were so big was because they live in the holy water so they will never die. Although I did see a fish with an air bubble stuck in its stomach and it was kind of just flopping around. I don't think that one will live for a hundred more years...Â