A water temple.

Just north of Ubud is the Pura Tirta Empul – a beautiful temple complex and holy mountain spring. Locals will tell you that it also serves as a legendary setting for the traditional tale of ‘Dharma’ (good) against ‘Adharma’ (evil).

Historically, the 10th century Tirta Empul temple is a silent witness to the old Balinese kingdom years, the Warmadewa Dynasty. The freshwater pools, lined with over a dozen fountains where pilgrims (and tourists) wade through and seek spiritual purification by ritually praying and going under each fountain in succession.

As with all Balinese temples, proper clothing is applied and a traditional sarong must be worn (can be borrowed on sight). A small fee is paid at the entrance to the temple.