Bali’s Sacred Water Temples: Where to Experience the Melukat Ritual

The melukat ritual, a traditional Balinese water purification ceremony, is believed to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. Performed at holy springs and rivers, it’s a transformative experience that connects participants to Bali’s deepest spiritual traditions. Here are nine revered temples where you can experience melukat.

Pura Tirta Empul - The Island’s Most Famous Water Temple (Tampaksiring, near Ubud)

Perhaps Bali’s most iconic purification site, Tirta Empul near Ubud, draws both locals and visitors to its sacred pools. Fed by natural springs, its 30 waterspouts are each believed to hold different cleansing powers. Arrive early in the morning for a more serene experience.

Pura Mengening - A Serene Riverside Escape (Tampaksiring)

Just a short distance from Tirta Empul, Pura Mengening is quieter but equally powerful. Its flowing waters are believed to restore balance and inner peace, making it a perfect setting for a reflective melukat.

Pura Sebatu - The Hidden Sanctuary (Tegalalang, Ubud)

Tucked away in lush greenery, Pura Sebatu is one of Bali’s lesser-known purification temples. Known for its tranquil setting and sacred pools, it’s an ideal place for those seeking a more intimate and meditative ritual.

Pura Kedatuan Raksa Sidhi - A Rare Gem (Tabanan Regency)

Less visited by tourists, this temple offers a deeply local melukat experience. Its sacred waters are revered for their purifying energy and are often used in community cleansing rituals.

Telaga Waja - Purification in the Sacred River (Gianyar)

The Telaga Waja River is one of Bali’s holiest waterways. Here, melukat is performed in its fast-flowing currents, believed to wash away spiritual impurities and recharge the soul with fresh energy.

Pura Tirta Sudamala - The Temple of Spiritual Renewal (Bangli)

Located in Bangli, Pura Tirta Sudamala is a cherished purification site for Balinese families. Its crystal-clear waters are thought to cleanse emotional burdens, offering renewal and clarity to those who take part.

Taman Beji Griya Punggul - A Spiritual Journey (Badung)

This temple near Gianyar has become increasingly popular for guided melukat ceremonies. The experience here is often more structured, combining traditional rituals with modern spiritual tourism practices.

Pura Kereban Langit - The Underground Temple (Badung Regency)

One of Bali’s most unique temples, Pura Kereban Langit is partially built into a cave. Its sacred spring is believed to heal illnesses and clear negative energies, making melukat here especially powerful.

Tirtha Pancoran Solas - The Eleven Fountains of Purification (Bangli)

As the name suggests, this temple features twelve sacred fountains, each representing different forms of cleansing. A full melukat here is a journey through all twelve streams, symbolising holistic purification.

Pura Tamba Waras - The Temple of Healing (Tabanan Regency)

Known as a place of spiritual and physical healing, Pura Tamba Waras is often visited by those seeking health and wellbeing. Its waters are revered for their curative properties, making melukat here both a ritual and a remedy.

Whether at the world-famous Tirta Empul or the hidden sanctuaries of Kereban Langit and Raksa Sidhi, melukat is one of the most profound cultural experiences you can have in Bali. Each temple carries its own spiritual energy, offering travellers a chance to connect with the island’s essence in a deeply personal way.