Tanah Lot: Bali Temple on Sea Rock & Beautiful Sunset View

 

Attractions, Temple, Tanah Lot: Bali Temple on Sea Rock & Beautiful Sunset View

Bali Tanah Lot temple is a Hindu temple in Bali Indonesia that has a stunning natural beauty, it stands on solid sea rock and Tanah Lot Bali or (Pura Tanah Lot) is one the very famous temples in Bali and became one of the top places in Bali to watch sunset. Tanah Lot sunset time is the best view that can be enjoyed when visiting this one of the most visited tourist attractions in Bali. Tanah Lot Bali is also called Bali temple in the sea because it's look like floating in the sea when high tide. Tanah Lot temple is one of the very sacred temple in Bali, and according to the legend, Tanah Lot Temple Bali is protected by holy sea snakes which was formed from the scarves of its founder. Tanah Lot Bali is a romantic place to visit while enjoying the sun goes down when spending holidays in Indonesia. Tanah Lot is derived from the word "Tanah" means land and "Lot (lod / laut)" which means the sea, because it is situated on a rock in the sea and resembles a small island floating on the sea, so the people call it TANAH LOT, Tanah Lot temple is located at Beraban village, Kediri disctrict, Tabanan regency, on the south coast of Bali island, approximately 25 kilometers from Denpasar City. Pura Tanah Lot is situated on a large coral rock overlooking to the Indian Ocean. Tanah Lot is a Hindu shrine built to worship the God in its manifestation as the God of the sea (God Baruna) to invoke prosperity, and the balance of sea and earth. 

 

Tanah Lot Temple History

The History Tanah Lot Temple closely related to the sacred journey from Blambangan (Java island) to Bali island of a holy monk called DangHyang Nirartha to spread the teachings of Hinduism, the people also call him DangHyang Dwijendra or Pedanda Sakti Wawu Rauh. The ruler of the island of Bali at that time was Raja Dalem Waturenggong around 16th century.In the Dwijendra Tattwa explained that at one time Dang hyang Nirartha come back to Rambut Siwi temple in his trip around the island of Bali, where the first when he had just arrived in Bali from Blambangan (Java island) on Çaka 1411 or 1489 AD, he stopped at this place. After being in Rambut Siwi temple for a while, then he went on his journey that leads toward East (Purwa) and before leaving DangHyang Niratha perform prayers "Surya Cewana" with people who were there. After sprinkling holy water (tirtha) against the people involved in doing worship, then he walked out of the temple walked toward the East. The journey traces the South coast of the island accompanied by some of the followers.  In this journey Dang Hyang Nirartha really enjoyed and was impressed with the beauty of the southern coast of the island of Bali with a natural beauty that is very exciting. He imagined how greatnessSanghyang Widhi Wasa (God Almighty) who has created the universe and everything in it that can give life to mankind. In his heart whispered that the duty of every creature in this world, especially human beings to express gratitude to God for everything he has been pleased to create it. 

 There are 8 holy temples in surrounding Tanah Lot area, each with its own function and purpose.

1. Penataran Temple - situated in the north of the Tanah Lot temple, it is a place to pray to God and its manifestation for happyness and wellness.
2. Penyawang Temple - situated in the west side of Penataran Temple, it is an alternative place to pray during high tide when people can't reach Tanah Lot temple, they can pray from here for the same purpose.
3. Jero Kandang Temple - situated around 100 meters in the west side of Penyawang temple, it is built to pray for wellness of the cattles and crops.
4. Enjung Galuh Temple - situated close to Jero Kandang Temple, it is built for the goddess of prosperity Dewi Sri for the people to pray for their land's fertility.
5. Batu Bolong Temple - situated around 100 meters in the west side of Enjung Galuh Temple. Batu Bolong means hollow rock in Balinese. It is used to hold Melasti ceremony or purifying ceremony.
6. Batu Mejan Temple - situated around 100 meters in the west side of Batu Bolong Temple, also called Beji Temple. Beji means sacred spring in Balinese. People believe that the holy water from this spring can purify anything from the bad.
7. Tri Antaka Monument - this monument was built to honor 3 heroic men: I Gusti Ketut Kereg, I Wayan Kamias and I Nyoman Regug, who had battled and defended the island against the NICA(Netherlands Indies Civil Administration) armed force on June 1946 in Tanah Lot territory.
8. Pakendungan Temple - situated in the west side, around 300 meters from Tanah Lot Temple. Pekendungan temple is the place where Dang Hyang Nirartha meditated once before and in this temple the holy keris was given to Bendesa Beraban Sakti.

In 1980th the Tanah Lot temple's rock face was beginning to crumble and the area around and inside the Tanah Lot temple started to become dangerous. There were some projects supported by Japan and Germany carried out to conserve the historic temple. 

Source : http://www.baliglory.com/2015/04/tanah-lot-temple.html