Bali is sometimes called the “island of a thousand temples”. And not without reason. On the Indonesian island, there are countless places of worship that are regularly visited by locals for their prayers and extensive ceremonies. The Hindu temple Pura Tanah Lot is a popular attraction for tourists. It is located in the southwest of the island, right on the seashore, and can only be reached on foot at low tide without getting wet. But where exactly is the temple and what makes it so worth seeing?
Location – Where is Pura Tanah Lot?
Tanah Lot is located on the west coast of Bali in the district of Tabanan. The town of Canggu is about a 25-minute drive away and Ubud is about an hour’s drive away. The international airport is also about an hour’s drive away.
What makes the temple so worth seeing?
The Hindu temple Pura Tanah Lot is one of a series of sea temples in the south of the island. All spirits and gods associated with the ocean are worshiped here.
The temple is located on a rocky outcrop in the sea, close to the shore. You can only reach the temple on foot without getting wet at low tide. The name Tanah Lot translates as “land in the middle of the sea”, because at high tide the rock and the temple are surrounded by seawater. At low tide, you can walk over fine, black lava sand and a few stones to reach the rock, although only devout Hindus are allowed to enter the actual temple. Inside the temple courtyard there are five multi-storey, pagoda-like shrines.
In a cave at the foot of the rock, there is a freshwater spring that is considered sacred and is permanently guarded by priests. For a small donation, you can wash your face and hands with the holy water or drink from it. In another cave called “Ular Suci” live sacred poisonous snakes. These are also guarded by the priests and you can have them shown.
At sunset, the atmosphere at the temple is particularly beautiful, as the sun sets directly behind the temple into the sea, bathing it in a magical, golden light. It is particularly worth watching the sunset from the mainland and not from the temple grounds.
History of the Tanah Lot Temple
The Tanah Lot temple was built at the end of the 15th century. At that time, Islam was spreading more and more in Indonesia. Like so many Hindus and Buddhists, the Hindu priest Danghyang Nirartha (also known as “Pedanda Sakti Bau Rau”) decided to flee from Java to Bali. According to legend, he was attracted by a light on the west coast of Bali and thus discovered the rock. When he decided to meditate on it, more and more people joined him. Thus, the rock on which the Tanah Lot temple now stands became a sacred place.
Conclusion – Is a visit to Pura Tanah Lot worthwhile?
The Tanah Lot sea temple is a very popular and truly impressive attraction. It is often used as a photo motif for postcards or holiday albums. If you are interested in the religion and culture of the island of Bali and its inhabitants, you should pay a visit to the temple. Its location in the sea makes it very impressive and well worth a visit, especially at sunset.
