Tirta Empul is a very important water purification temple built around a natural, holy spring. People come from all over to ritually purify themselves in the multitude of fountains, which pour water from the pool of the sacred spring. The temple was founded in the year 926 around the spring, which was supposedly created by the god Indra. It is mainly devoted to Vishnu, god of water, but contains many highly decorated shrines dedicated to other Hindu gods, as well.
Here’s a gallery of some of its courtyards, pools & shrines:
Goa Gajah means, “Elephant Cave” – so called for the large face at the mouth of the cave, which was thought to be that of an elephant. It’s actually the face of a demon (one of many), which was carved into the rock cliff to ward off evil spirits. The cave sanctuary was built in the 9th century, and is devoted to Shiva & his son, Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. The main temple complex was built in the 11th century across a hillside, and next to a river. It contains both Hindu & Buddhist shrines.
