BANGLI, DEWATA.NEWS – A traditional spiritual purification site in Bangli Regency is increasingly attracting visitors, including foreign tourists, as the local customary village plans further development of the area.
The purification ritual, known locally as panglukatan, takes place at Pura Taman Pecampuhan in Desa Adat Sala, Susut District. Each week, Balinese worshippers, known as pamedek, visit the temple to perform ritual cleansing ceremonies believed to bring spiritual balance and personal blessings.
Local leaders say the site has also begun drawing growing interest from international visitors, creating new opportunities for spiritual tourism in the region.
Bendesa Adat Sala, I Wayan Subagia, said the purification area has provided both spiritual value for the community and broader benefits for the customary village.
“In addition to being used for spiritual activities, the area is now also visited by tourists, including foreign visitors. We plan to continue organizing and improving the site so it can develop properly,” Subagia said on Saturday.
According to village officials, the number of Balinese worshippers typically increases during important religious days such as Purnama (full moon), Tilem (new moon), Kajeng Kliwon, and Bayu Pinaruh, which follows the Saraswati holiday.
During those periods, the number of worshippers visiting the purification area can rise significantly.
Foreign visitors, however, tend to arrive more consistently throughout the week. Recent data from the village indicates that around 15 to 20 international visitors currently come to the site each day.
“Previously we had days when around 100 foreign tourists visited. Since January and February, the average has been around 15 to 20 per day,” Subagia explained.
Visitors come from various countries, with Russia currently accounting for the largest number of international arrivals. Tourists from India, France, Japan, China, Australia, and several other countries have also visited the site.
Local officials noted that visitor numbers have slightly declined in recent weeks due to Bali’s rainy season, although tourists continue to arrive regularly.
The area also experienced a landslide about a month ago affecting the upper part of the purification site. Community members from Desa Adat Sala have begun repairing the area independently while waiting for further handling.
“A provincial government team has already visited the location to check the landslide area. For the initial response, the customary village community covered the repair costs themselves,” Subagia said.
The purification site at Pura Taman Pacampuhan is believed by worshippers to have spiritual significance for self-purification, seeking a life partner, improving family harmony, and praying for children.
Historically, the location was originally used for the purification of sacred temple symbols before ceremonies at the village temple. The area began to be developed into a public purification site in 2015.
The development was carried out collectively by the residents of Desa Adat Sala, incorporating the Siwa-Buda spiritual philosophy, which emphasizes harmony between humans, nature, and spiritual values.
One of the unique aspects of the site is the natural combination of three water elements: sacred water spouts (pancoran tirta), a confluence of water streams (pacampuhan), and a natural waterfall.
“The combination of these three natural elements creates a place that feels very sacred and attractive for both worshippers and visitors,” Subagia said.
After improvements were completed, the purification site officially opened to the public in 2017 and has since become increasingly known across Bali, including among international travelers interested in spiritual experiences.
Village leaders say further development and site organization will continue in the future to ensure the purification area can grow sustainably as both a spiritual and cultural destination in Bangli.