(7/1/2012)
A Houston (USA) environmental group – Green Yatra Action (GYAN) have honored the local community that manages Bali’s famous Tirta Empul complex near Tampaksiring, Gianyar.
Built in 926 AD during the Warmadewa dynasty that ruled Bali for nearly five centuries, Tirta Empul is a temple complex housing springs held sacred by all Balinese.
GYAN is a secular organization that seeks to “use the wisdom of Vedic Hindu teaching and the collective passion and ingenuity of the Vedic Hindu people” to address the global crisis of climate change.
The GYAN award for Tirta Empul Temple and its stewards was presented in Ubud, Bali on Saturday, June 30, 2012, by the organization’s president Dr. Ksum Vyas witnessed by the regent of Gianyar Cokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati (Pak Cok) at the Puri Agung Palace.
The award was reportedly given because the Tirta Empul Temple Complex, located near the Tampaksiring Presidential Palace, exists in a beautiful, clean and environmentally balanced setting.
Teeming with tens of fountains fed by the sacred Pekerisan River, the Tirta Empul complex is only 50 kilometers from Bali’s capital of Denpasar, easily accessible from Bali’s tourist hotels in the south.
The President of GYAN used the award ceremony to also present an award to the Rector of Bali’s Mahendrata University, Dr. Shri I Gusti Ngurah Arya Wedakarna Mahendradatta Wedasteraputra Suyasa III, who serves on the International Honorary Advisory Board of GYAN.
The regent of Ginayar “Pak Cok” welcomed the recognition for Tirta Empul bestowed by GYAN, saying he hope the award would assist efforts underway to have the Tirta Empul complex listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
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