"The sharp knife of a short life

I've had just enough time..."


- "If I Die Young" The Band Perry


I see Beauty in many things. And like the ghosts that only speak to you if you notice them, they tell me wondrous tales. With my camera and my thoughts, I captured these as faithfully as I can to share with you. And by doing so, they gave me the reasons. And though the thousand reasons may not all be sweet and some indeed bitter; they are still reasons to live. Come to think about it, that is Life, isn't it?

Monday 17 September 2012

Bathing Ritual in The Temple of Sacred Water (Thirtha Empul)



I've had just enough time to...   be cleansed by holy water

 
Taken of the bathing pool in the Temple of Sacred Water


Water, the elixir of Life
Cleanse me
Purify me
Refresh me
I am born again
Without my sins
Without my worries
Without my pains
I am renewed
By sacred water,
The elixir of Life



Devotees in prayer during purifying ceremony

This temple is regarded as one of the six most important temples in Bali. It got its name “Thirtha Empul” meaning “Bubbling Spring” from a legend. When the evil King Mayadenawa poisoned Lord Indra’s troop by creating a pool of poisoned water, Lord Indra saved them by stabbing his flag pole into the ground creating a bubbling spring of sacred water which has curative power. A temple was built at this site in 926 AD. For more than a thousand years, Balinese have come to this sacred site to heal and purify themselves.


4 comments:


  1. A 1000 Reasons (Off to Munich for IBA & Oktoberfes
    Tirtha Empul Temple was built in 926 A.D. at a site where there was a large water spring. Please read more about it in my blog. It has quite a large compound with a big main courtyard in the center of which is a koi pond. There is also an enclosed area where clear water seeped out to a crystal clear pool. You can see movement in the sediment as the water seeped out but I am not sure if this is a hot spring though it looks like one. Please see image below. But the most interesting part of the temple is of course the bathing pools where devotees have their bathing rituals.

    ★CindiK. added this photo to her favorites.

    Eyemdreaming
    Wonderful and refreshing elixir of life...your words are so true!

    ★♥♥Ever-Green Veronica♥♥ MOSTLY OFF added this photo to her favorites.
    Wonderful scene.... my friend.... the photos are beautiful and so true water is refreshing and purifies also our spirit...
    Thank you so much my friend for all...
    and I wish you a good and positive period in Munich.... take care.... All the best VeRo ☺☺☺

    ★ineedathis added this photo to his favorites.
    Such a wonderful ritual, we all need to cleanse ourselves:-)
    Wonderful shot my friend!

    MAMEDE HARFOUCHE
    WISHING YOU A BLESSED NEW WEEK, Thou.
    KISSES AND PEACE.
    الله أكبر * " ALLAH HU AKBAR! "

    ★ΞSSΞ®®Ξ added this photo to his favorites. (
    beautiful!

    ReplyDelete

  2. A 1000 Reasons (Off to Munich for IBA & Oktoberfes
    In the bathing pool, devotees will bring their offering to pray. They will then immerse themselves in the water to cleanse themselves. I saw some even gurgled the water in their mouth but I was not sure if they actually drink from it. With hands clasped together, they closed their eyes and made their prayers in silence - not doubt wishing health and happiness for themselves and their families.

    ★ineedathis added this photo to his favorites.
    Wonderful overhead angle! it must be very rewarding for everyone giving their offerings,
    I have seen that alot and I think its great.
    Have a great week ahead my friend.

    MAMEDE HARFOUCHE
    WISHING YOU A BLESSED NEW WEEK, Thou.
    KISSES AND PEACE.
    الله أكبر * " ALLAH HU AKBAR! "

    ReplyDelete

  3. ★ΞSSΞ®®Ξ added this photo to his favorites. (1 week ago)
    beautiful!

    october blue
    Wonderful images and peom ! Water is indeed the elixir of life ....your photos and writing capture that spirit so very well. Excellent work, my friend.....wishing you happy travels :-)
    ★october blue added this photo to their favorites.

    bloodybee
    such a fascinating scene!

    ZUCCONY
    nice pic

    Sim2Bas
    I agree, Excellent Artwork!
    An excellent photo!
    Click The Camera Group

    SolitudeWays.
    Mi piace ciao!

    henrhyde (gill)
    Grand image.
    Very well composed and portrayed.
    Lovely words also.

    ★Mami_H added this photo to her favorites.
    excellent image!!!

    "Chuck"
    This beautiful chapter has been seen in WRITTEN PAGES.

    ★Steve Taylor (Photography) added this photo to his favorites.
    I love this photograph

    oola neruda
    this is a wonderful photo..it has so many "feelings" in it... one can get wrapped up in it...

    wRItinG, eLLyN - only 3 cylinders working
    This beautiful chapter has been seen in WRITTEN PAGES.

    wRItinG, eLLyN - only 3 cylinders working
    You are invited to POST TO:
    TRAVEL PILGRIMS – Invitation Only
    ~the soul rests here~

    ana_lee_smith
    It's beautiful to feel the sense of bliss emanating from the participants in the purifying ritual at the Temple. The mother & child being the epitome of that. A wonderful image to savour & heartfelt words, thou. Enjoy your time in Munich. Take it easy with the beer *~*

    ★ana_lee_smith and 娜 娜☂Nana added this photo to their favorites.

    娜 娜☂Nana
    Wonderful framing and excellent capture !
    Yeah ... Enjoy your time in Munich!
    Have a good time : )))

    ★msonflk added this photo to his favorites.
    outstanding capture.

    BKHagar *Kim* (uploadrs working sporadically)
    Wonderful shot and poem! Perfect pairing!

    ho.ge (7 days ago)
    a good shower is always refreshing - inside and outside :)

    ★ho.ge and Ronaldo F Cabuhat added this photo to their favorites.

    Ronaldo F Cabuhat
    Excellent exposure on the details. Captivating piece!

    "Chuck"
    As always, another superb example of photographic art. Your work always provides inspiration as well as providing a fine example of the thoughts and visions that live within. I do hope you have a great rest of the week and a fine weekend.

    Andrew 62 (3 days ago)
    bliss ........................................
    great work!

    ★Yasmin de light - catching up slowly added this photo to her favorites.
    I absolutely love these images of the bathing rituals in the sacred water. I love pure clear flowing water and really feel there is something very sacred, exhilirating, healing and purifying about it. You have captured the sacredness and beauty perfectly here my friend. It's just so inspiring and refreshing even just to watch this shot. Reminds me of the time when I travelled around the north of New Zealand - a good percentage of my time was spent in pools and thermal baths - around and under flowing water. The choices there were just wonderful and the renewal and revitilisation I felt was wonderful too : ))

    "Chuck"
    Im back again just saying that I hope you are safe and doing well and enjoying another piece of the world. Have a great day my friend.

    This photo was invited and added to the IN 365 DAYS AROUND THE WORLD group.

    Paddu Rao
    Nice image !

    ReplyDelete
  4. Steve Taylor (Photography)
    Wonderful to see that water is not taken for granted

    ★ana_lee_smith and 娜 娜☂Nana added this photo to their favorites.

    娜 娜☂Nana
    A lovely portraits and mood... To purify the body and soul.

    ♥♥Ever-Green Veronica♥♥ added this photo to her favorites.
    Ooops I had missed this photo....
    It is so beautiful and has a great meaning... so important for us all...... Prayer..Meditation..and some sacrifice will purify our body and soul...
    Thanks for the nice prayer.....
    Blessings my friend

    ♥♥Ever-Green Veronica♥♥
    I hope all OK during your trip

    ★ZUCCONY, EdyFalconPhotography™, and Yasmin de light - catching up slowly added this photo to their favorites.

    Yasmin de light - catching up slowly
    Interesting angle in this capture Thou. And once again - a very lovely image of prayer, purification and the sacredness of water : ))

    ReplyDelete

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