Tanah Lot Temple Bali  is a sacred place of Hindu religion that has the beauty of the natural with the wonderful Sunset. Temple Tanah Lot Bali is located on the waterfront Tanah Lot and standing on a solid and strong sea rock, at its western side there is also a temple called Pura Batu Bolong which also has a view that is not less beautiful.

Tanah Lot comes from the word “Tanah”, which means land and “Lot” (Lod), which means the sea, as it was located in the sea or on the beach to float when the water tide, therefore Tanah Lot means a country or island, which lies on the sea, the reason why people call Tanah Lot.

Pura Tanah Lot is located in the village of Beraban, district of Kediri, Tabanan, on the southern coast of the island approximately 25 kilometers from Denpasar. Pura Tanah Lot is located on the large sea Rock facing the Indian Ocean. The place of worship is a Hindu temple built to worship the Lord in His manifestation as a god of the sea or the god Varuna to the safety and prosperity of the world as well as the balance between the sea and the earth.

Origin story of the founding of Pura Tanah Lot or historical Pura Tanah Lot Bali is closely associated with the sacred journey from Blambangan (Java) to the island of Bali by a holy priest named Nirartha to spread the Hindu religion on the island of the gods, people also called Him Danghyang Dwijendra or a magical Priester Wawu Rauh. The leader (king) in Bali at that time was King Dalem Waturenggong around the 16th century AD.

History Pura Tanah Lot Bali in Dwijendra Tatwa explained once Dang Hyang Nirartha back to Pura Rambut Siwi on its way to the island of Bali, where he first arrived in Bali from Blambangan the Saka year 1411 or 1489 AD, he had stopped at this Pura Rambut Siwi. When he was in this temple for a moment, then he continued his journey to the East (Purwa) and before leaving the place he took time to perform the ceremony “Surya Cewana” with people around there, after sprinkling holy water (tirtha) to the people who joined in worship and then he left the temple and walked continue the journey to the East, the way he passed the southern coast of the island of Bali and is followed by a few faithful followers of him.

During this sacred journey, Dang Hyang Nirartha really enjoy and be amazed by the beauty of the southern coast of Bali with a natural beauty that is very interesting. He imagined how the greatness of Ida Sanghyang Widhi Wasa (God Almighty) has created the world and along with its contents to human life and other living creatures. Inwardly he was whispered that the duty of all living beings in the world, especially human beings to be grateful and keep what has been created by God Almighty.

After a long journey, finally Dang Hyang Nirartha arrived and stopped at a beach on the rocks and also there are springs, the rock is called Gili Beo, “Gili” means a small island and “Beo” means birds, so the Gili Beo means island of small bird.

At that time in the region Beraban Village is led by Bendesa Beraban, then this is where Nirartha stop and rest, not long he rested come the fishermen who wanted to meet him and bring offerings to him, and after nightfall they begged Him to stay overnight in their homes, but their request was rejected by him and he would prefer to spend the night in Gili Beo because at this point he could enjoy the fresh air with a beautiful view and could unleash a view in all directions.

On the night before he rested, he took time to teach religion and morality to the people who come to Him, But the presence of Dang Hyang Nirartha is not favored by Bendesa Beraban, because its teachings are not appropriate and not in line with the teachings of Dang Hyang Nirartha and this makes Bendesa Beraban Sakti became angry and he invited his followers to push Nirartha away from this region. then to protect himself from aggression Bendesa Beraban , Nirartha finally with supernatural powers moved Gili Beo a bit into the sea and he created the snake of the shawl he used to keep Gili Beo  safe from attacks from Bendesa Braban. After that the Gili Beo changed its name to Tanah Lot (Land in the ocean), after seeing the wonders of Nirartha finally Bendesa Beraban  gave up and then she became a faithful follower him to continue to teach Hinduism to the public, and for the services, Dang Hyang Nirartha provide a keris to Bendesa Beraban before he went on his sacred journey (keris is a distinctive asymmetrical dagger from Indonesia which is used as a weapon and spiritual object, the kris is often considered to have magical powers. Early keris known or created in the centuries around 1360 AD and may spread from island to island across Southeast Asia) .Keris given to Bendesa Beraban called Jaramenara or keris Ki Gajah Baru, until now dagger was kept and purify in Puri Kediri , At that time Nirartha suggest to people to make the temple (parahyangan) in Tanah Lot because, according to the sacred vibration and supernatural guidance in this place He is a very good place to praise the Lord, from this place then people can worship the greatness of God in manifestation as a god of the sea for the safety and well-being of the World. There are around 8 sacred temple of Tanah Lot area, each with its function and purpose.

Before they entered the main temple, they must pray and drink and wash their faces with water from the holy spring in order to the soul and mind are clean before entering and do worship at the temple of Tanah Lot. During the ceremony / piodalan in Pura Tanah Lot, Bali people especially the Hindus would come to worship in order to obtain the safety and well-being, even many of them also come from other regions in Indonesia. The ceremony at Pura Tanah Lot done / held (nyejer) for 3 days.

Holy Snake Tanah Lot

The uniqueness of Tanah Lot is related to the myth of the local community about the sacred serpent in the Pura Tanah Lot, Tanah Lot sacred snake believed to be the guardian and savior of Pura Tanah Lot from malicious attacks that disrupt the sanctity of the temple. Kind of snake was from the Latin name Bungarus Candidus, sea snakes are highly venomous and dangerous, the body has a circular black and white colors.

Holy Snake will attack anyone who wants to do evil and want to undermine the existence and sanctity of Pura Tanah Lot, but despite that snake this holy will remain and quiet in the cave located on the corner of coral near Pura Tanah Lot, even visitors can be touched and stroked the sacred snake without fear of a backlash from the snake and of course we will be accompanied by someone who understood the character of these sacred serpent. The community is also believed by touching the sacred snake is praying that what we want will come true, a myth that may be trusted or not.

Sunset scenery and Best Time Visiting Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot is a tourist destination which is very famous in the world, and became one of the best tours on the island and one of the favorite tourist spots to enjoy the beauty of the sunset / sunset on the island of gods. Every day Tanah Lot visited by thousands of tourists both domestic and foreign tourists.

Many tourists / travelers ask what time sunset in Tanah Lot? to be able to enjoy the beauty of Pura Tanah Lot with a view of the sunset view is cool, it is recommended to visit Tanah Lot in the afternoon with sunny weather, from about 4 pm until 7 o’clock in the afternoon is the best time to visit Tanah Lot because of the hour with sunny weather we can enjoy the beauty of sunset / sunsets are spectacular.

In addition, visitors can also take a walk and be close to the rock of the temple area during low tide, but it is very dangerous and is not recommended to do that on the tides. Tourist attractions Tanah Lot is also very suitable as a family holiday, in this area there are also adequate facilities such as hotels, restaurants, sunset terrace, Tanah Lot cultural park, a souvenir shop, a large parking area, an emergency facility, a secure facility (security), restrooms, a place to relax and also an information center.