Tirta Empul: visit the pool respectfully

Tirta Empul is a Balinese Hindu water temple where worshippers bathe in sacred spring water. Visitors are welcome to look around, and the ritual is open to some who wish to join, but it is a living act of worship. Decide in advance whether you will take part or watch.

For the bigger picture of where the temple sits, read the Bali overview and the Ubud area page.

What happens at the pool?

Worshippers move along a row of spouts, bathing under each in turn as part of a purification ritual called melukat. It is quiet and focused, and local people take it seriously.

You can watch from the side or, if you choose, take part with a guide’s help. Visitors who take part wear a sarong and follow the guide’s instructions about the order and the offerings.

The temple is a pura, and respect for the people praying comes first.

Can Muslim visitors take part?

Muslim visitors choose to watch as observers rather than bathe, and that is a respectful option. The ritual is an act of Hindu worship, so every traveller can decide how far their own beliefs allow them to participate.

Talk with your guide before you arrive, and be clear about your comfort. Joining in is your choice, and the grounds can be enjoyed without entering the pools.

Plan your prayer times around the visit, and ask the agency for a halal lunch nearby.

What should you wear and bring?

Cover shoulders and knees, and wear a sarong and sash. If you plan to enter the water, bring quick-dry clothing, a towel and a change of outfit. Use a locker for phones and valuables.

Our dress codes for temples and mosques guide covers more detail, and the cultural visit etiquette guide adds habits that apply across Bali.

Who may enter the pools?

Women who are menstruating are traditionally asked not to enter the sacred pools or temple. Guides and operators follow this practice, so it helps to tell your guide early if it affects you. The same courtesy applies when a ceremony is taking place.

If you are unsure about any rule, ask the guide rather than guess.

What are the honest unknowns?

Entry fees, opening hours and the exact rules on who can bathe change over time, and sources disagree. Confirm current details with your driver or the local office before you go. Crowds also vary, so an early start gives you more room.

For more on how to behave across Indonesia, see our respectful cultural visits guide.