Tanah Lot Temple is one of tourist object in Bali, Indonesia. Located at Beraban village on Sub District of Kediri in Tabanan Regency and is about 13 km western part of Tabanan. There are 2 temples perched at the top of the big rock, first perched at the top of rock’s chunk and the other one at the top of mountain side like Uluwatu temple. This temple is a part of Sad Kahyangan temple that is temples which constitute of Bali island hinge.
Tanah Lot Temple is a sea temple and is used to worship the Gods of the sea. Depending on the legend, this temple was built by a Brahmin who roamed from Majapahit Kingdom in Java. He was Dahyang Niratha who succeeded making a strong faith to the inhabitant of Bali for the Hindu’s doctrine and built the Sad Kahyangan in 16th century.
At the time the author of Tanah Lot, Bandesa Beraben was envious to him because his adherent begun to leave him and followed Dahyang Niratha. Bendesa Beraben told Dahyang Niratha to leave Tanah Lot. He accepted it and before leaving Tanah Lot, by his power he replaced a big rock to the center of the seashore (not to the center of the sea) and built a temple there. He also changed his shawl to be a snake to guard the temple. The snake has been living until this time and scientifically this snake belongs to kinds of sea snake which has characteristics flat tale like fish, black color yellow stripes and its poison was 3 times stronger than cobra.
The ending of the legend said that finally Bandesa Beraben also became Danghyang Niratha adherent. At the bottom and on the western part of this temple also has a water source and it is a holly water according to Hinduism. When the water withdraws guests can go to the temple yard to pray. We are only allowed to pray on the temple if we use a traditional custom. On Tanah Lot we can see the appearance of the moon in the night and the sun sets on the horizon. Both are a beautiful panorama that can be seen if we are having our sightseeing there.
Accommodation
We can find some cottages such as Pondok Wisata Atiti Graha, Dewi Sinta Hotel and a simple but spotless losmen set 500m back along the access road and surrounded by rice fields and also just a few meters from the temple entrances. While the most luxurious of the five-star Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort is around 3 km away. We also can find many restaurants, art shops along the way to the temple.
How to get there
It takes about one hour from Denpasar or about 45 minutes from Kuta. Vehicles like Bemo (general transportation in Denpasar), Taxi, motorbike or other vehicles are available for rent. We also suggest joining the sightseeing tour offered by hotels or travel agents.
