Banjar Holy Hot Springs

The 1000 Year Old Springs of Banjar

Believed to have been used for nearly a thousand years, the Banjar Hot Springs, known locally as Permadian Air Panas, hold deep spiritual and cultural significance dating back to at least the 10th century. Oral traditions and local belief suggest these sacred springs have long served as a place for ritual purification and healing, well before the arrival of modern tourism or infrastructure. The Balinese see the spring water as more than just physically restorative. It is a powerful spiritual cleanser, capable of dispelling illness and unseen negative forces. This reverence is embedded in the site itself, where intricately carved naga serpents stand vigil, guarding the waters and those who seek their healing powers.

The mineral rich water bubbles up from deep within Bali’s volcanic core at a soothing 38°C (100°F), its faint sulfuric scent and yellowish hue marking its potent therapeutic qualities. Known to ease joint pain, improve circulation and aid skin conditions, the water flows from the mouths of 12 stone nagas into tiered bathing pools, symbolising renewal that transcends the physical. In Balinese Hindu belief, water is sacred and nagas are revered as protectors of these life-giving springs, embodying the delicate balance between humanity, nature and the divine. Together, they transform the Banjar Hot Springs into a living spiritual sanctuary, where healing is both a bodily and a cosmic experience.

While the sacred use of the Banjar Holy Hot Springs dates back nearly a millennium, the current form of the site was shaped during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia during World War II in the 1940's. Japanese soldiers, drawing on their own onsen bathing traditions, recognised the value of the mineral waters and developed the area by constructing the terraced stone pools still used today. Their work expanded access to what had long been a local site of spiritual cleansing, transforming it into a more structured communal sanctuary, while maintaining the sacred essence of the springs.

Today, the complex features three tiered pools, each set at a slightly different elevation, allowing the warm water to cascade naturally between levels. The upper pool offers a quieter, more meditative experience, while the lower pools are more social and suitable for families. Traditional pavilions and shrines dot the landscape, reinforcing the sacred function of the site. It’s a space where ancient spiritual traditions and natural healing continue to converge in harmony, attracting both pilgrims and travellers seeking something deeper than a typical spa visit. Despite its growing popularity, Banjar Hot Springs has retained its tranquil and reverent atmosphere. This is thanks in part to ongoing local stewardship and a shared understanding that these waters are not simply for leisure. They are vessels of memory, healing and connection, linking present-day visitors to an unbroken tradition that stretches back more than a thousand years into the island's sacred past.

🗺️ Location

Jalan Raja Ida Made Rai, Banjar, Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia

🚆 How to get there

As of 2025, Banjar Hot Springs sit about 10km's southwest of Lovina, roughly a 30 minute drive, with clear signposts guiding visitors from Seririt and Singaraja. Upon arrival, a ticket office next to the carpark welcomes guests, who pass by a small row of souvenir shops selling traditional Balinese handicrafts before entering through a carved stone gate. Beyond the gate, a pathway and bridge run alongside a river, leading down a flight of steps into the hot springs complex, which is divided into four main sections. If you're going to the effort to head up this way, don't miss Goa Lawah Bat Temple and the Brahmavihara Arama Monastery.

⭐ Attraction Info

Banjar Hot Springs are open daily between 8:30am to 5:30pm except on Nyepi Day when the site is closed. Visitors are advised to enjoy the springs in the morning or evening hours rather than midday, to avoid the peak heat. Admission for all foreign tourists is 45000 IDR. Onsite facilities include changing rooms, lockers, a restaurant and spa/massage services. Swimsuits are mandatory and soaps or detergents are not permitted in the pools to preserve water quality. Recent improvements made in 2025 have enhanced accessibility and sustainability, ensuring that Banjar Hot Springs remain a sanctuary where natural healing, cultural heritage and modern comforts blend seamlessly for everyone.

🔗Official Website

www.banjarhotspring.co.id/

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