Neak Pean is a late 12th century water temple built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, set alone in the middle of a vast reservoir near Angkor. Unlike most Khmer temples, it was conceived around water as a force of healing and purification, believed to restore balance and relieve illness through sacred contact. Entwined naga serpents wrap tightly around its base, binding the unique shrine into a single symbolic form, from which the temple takes its name.

Over 1100 years ago, Bali’s sacred springs became the stage for Melukat, a ritual of purification where holy waters cleanse body and spirit. According to legend, gods pierced the earth and sacred springs burst forth to awaken fallen warriors. Today, pilgrims step into the crystal clear waters, following ancestral chants from Balinese priests, allowing the sacred flow to connect them deeply with the ritual’s ancient power.