Taman Beji Paluh Penarungan: A Sacred Spring with 11 Fountains Believed to Heal Diseases
Taman Beji Paluh offers a blend of natural beauty and preserved cultural richness. Beyond the coolness of its fountain, this spring is believed to possess spiritual powers that can cleanse the body and soothe the soul. The trickling sound of the water from the fountain is like a natural melody, bringing a sense of peace, blending in with the serene and tranquil atmosphere of the surroundings.
Beji Paluh Park is one of Bali's sacred springs. It's known not only as a source of life but also as a spiritual and cultural center. This place combines natural beauty with local wisdom passed down through generations. Beji Paluh Park is located in Banjar Dauh Peken, Penarungan Village, Mengwi District, Badung. Situated within a well-preserved subak (traditional Balinese irrigation system), the rural atmosphere and cool natural surroundings are a unique attraction.
Top View of the Taman Beji Paluh Area (Source: Personal Collection)
According to the oral traditions passed down by the pemangku (temple caretakers), pengempon pura (temple managers), and village elders, the story of Taman Beji Paluh has existed since ancient times. Originally, the flow of water from this spring merged with the Tukad Yeh Penet and Bebengan Rivers. However, as the subak (irrigation system) in Desa Kapal required water for their rice fields, the villagers tried to redirect the flow.
This marked the beginning of Taman Beji Paluh’s history, eventually giving rise to the story of a pangliman (water regulator) who was believed to have become a sacrificial offering so that the water flow could continue smoothly. Since then, the embankment built to control the water has no longer encountered problems. The remnants of the collapsed embankment left the ground uneven, or mepaluh-paluh, which is how the name Taman Beji Paluh came to be.
The Rear Area of Taman Beji Paluh (Source: Private Collection)
The people of Desa Penarungan are the main guardians of Taman Beji Paluh’s preservation. They not only utilize its water for daily needs but also consider it an essential part of religious rituals. The local residents believe that the spring water carries purifying energy, beneficial for penglukatan or spiritual cleansing. In addition to the local community, many visitors from both within Indonesia and abroad come to perform penglukatan, seek inner peace, or simply enjoy the refreshing natural surroundings.
On a sekala (physical) level, this spring serves as an important source of irrigation. However, on a niskala (spiritual) level, Taman Beji Paluh is believed to possess healing properties, particularly for ailments such as eye and skin diseases. As explained by one of the guardians of Taman Beji Paluh, for generations the local community has utilized the spring’s fountains for penglukatan, a ritual cleansing of the self from the elements of Dasa Mala. This tradition has been passed down through generations and continues to be practiced today with deep faith and devotion.
Penglukatan Pancoran Lima (Source: Private Collection)
Initially, Taman Beji Paluh featured the Pancoran Lima, consisting of the Brahma, Wisnu, Siwa, Rudra, and Sambu fountains. These fountains are used for pengelukatan, a ritual to seek physical and spiritual purification. Over time, the Pancoran Solas was also built from the same water source, allowing a larger number of people to perform cleansing rituals.
Penglukatan Pancoran Solas (Source: Private Collection)
The Pancoran Solas consists of eleven fountains, including Toya Ning, Tirta Gangga, Toya Panglukatan, Toya Pembersihan, Toya Pamrastita, Toya Pangleburan, Toya Pangening-ening, Toya Panyejer, Toya Sudamala, and Toya Pangentas. Each fountain holds symbolic functions, ranging from purification and self-cleansing to prayers for health and the removal of obstacles in life.
The ritual is usually performed with full devotion, beginning with prayer, followed by cleansing oneself under the fountains in a specific sequence. This process is believed to bring peace and renewed energy for continuing one’s life journey.
Fish Pond in the Taman Beji Paluh Area (Source: Personal Collection)
Taman Beji Paluh is not merely a sacred site but also a reflection of Balinese local wisdom in maintaining harmony between humans, nature, and spirituality. Amid the passage of time, it remains an invaluable cultural and spiritual oasis. For both the local community and visitors, Taman Beji Paluh offers a holistic experience, combining the refreshing serenity of nature, the healing properties of its springs, and the living, enduring cultural values.
