 Pura Tanah Lot, Bali
Pura Tanah Lot (19 June, 2004)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Pura Tanah Lot is perhaps the most iconic temple in Bali. It's the temple that you often seen on tourist brochures. This most important sea temple of Bali is positioned on the most dramatic location: on a tiny outcrop jutting into the sea on the southwestern coast of the island.
The name Pura Tanah Lot means "Temple of the Land and the Sea". As the name suggests, it is located between land and sea, just about 100 meters off the coast. During low tide, Pura Tanah Lot is connected to mainland Bali, in a similar fashion as Mont Saint-Michel.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, Tanah Lot was a headland. In the last hundred years, the sea has eroded the promontory so that only the islet is left.
The coast off Pura Tanah Lot has now been turned into a park. From here, you can see the temple as well as the nearby Pura Batu Bolong. The best time to visit is during the evening. It gets very crowded during that time, but it's the best time to view Pura Tanah Lot, for nothing beats the view of the sea temple at sunset.
Tanah Lot at sunset (19 June, 2004)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Pura Tanah Lot holds shrines dedicated to various gods of Balinese Hinduism. The side facing the sea is dedicated to Betara Tengah Segara, the Balinese goddess of the sea. The side facing land is associated with the gods of Gunung Batukau.
The construction of Pura Tanah Lot is linked to the Majapahit priest Dang Hyang Nirartha, who ordered its construction to balance the geomancy elements of the island, protecting it against the destructive forces coming from the sea that is causing the islanders to suffer from scourges and epidemics.
Visitors to Pura Tanah Lot can also stopover at a sea cave to view the sacred sea snake. The venomous snake is coiled up in a hole within the cave.
Pura Tanah Lot is not the only coastal temple along the stretch. Pura Luhur Pekendungan is yet another temple located in the vicinity of Tanah Lot. It is said to be the oldest temple along the coast. Other temples in the location includes Pura Jero Kandang, Pura Batu Mejan, Pura Galuh and Pura Batu Bolong.
Location Map of Pura Tanah Lot
Click here to view the Google Map to Pura Tanah Lot.
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