Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul is a temple and holy spring that feeds the river that flows through Gunung Kawi. According to belief, it was created by the god Indra to cure his warriors who had been poisoned by an insidious enemy. He pierced the earth and from there flowed tirtha, the water that gives immortality. To this day, many people still believe that the spring has healing properties; thousands of people who are thirsty for healing flock to it.
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The temple of Tirtha Empul is set against a wooded hill and contrasts with the nearby souvenir shops, which clearly do not color the surrounding views, or the island. High above the temple stands a government rest house built by the Dutch. President Sukarno later turned it into his palace. It is said that his telescope was always pointed at the women’s pool.
