Visit Tanah Lot Temple for Watching The Amazing Temple and Beautiful Sunset
Tanah Lot Temple is an ancient Hindu shrine perched on top of an outcrop amidst constantly crashing waves, the temple is simply among Bali not to be missed icons. The onshore site is dotted with smaller shrines alongside visitors leisure facilities that comprise restaurants, shops and a cultural park presenting regular dance performances. The temple is located in the Beraban village of the Tabanan regency, an approximate 20km northwest of Kuta and is included on most tours to Bali western and central regions.
TANAH LOT TEMPLE IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATION IN BALI AND THIS HINDU TEMPLE IS BUILT ON THE ROCK AND BEST TIME TO VISIT DURING THE SUNSET TIME.
Dang Hyang Nirartha, a high priest from the Majapahit Kingdom in East Java who travelled to Bali in 1489 to spread Hinduism, arrived at the beautiful area and established a site honoring the sea god, Baruna. Here, he shared his teachings to Beraban villagers, only to face opposition from the village chief who soon gathered his loyal followers to dispel Nirartha. The priest resisted, incredibly shifting a large rock he meditated upon out to sea while transforming his sashes into sea snakes to guard at its base.
The rocks original name, Tengah Lod, means in the sea. Acknowledging Nirartha powers, the humbled chief vowed allegiance. Before setting off, Nirartha gifted him a holy kris dagger, which is now among the sanctified heirlooms of the Kediri royal palace. Pilgrims bring these relics each Kuningan day by foot on an 11km pilgrimage to the Luhur Pakendungan temple, the priests former meditational site.
After centuries of large waves persistently crashing at its rock base, Tanah Lot faced the constant threat of erosion, reaching a significant decline in 1980. The authorities carried out preservation efforts to Tanah Lot Temple and other historical sites island-wide with aid from the Japanese government. Fully restored, a third of the present Tanah Lot is actually artificial rock. At high tide, waves flood the causeways making it impossible to cross.
At low tide, you may cross to view the rock base where the legendary guardian sea snakes dwell in crevices around the Tirta Pabersihan fountain. This natural spout is the source of holy water for all the temples in the area. Priests at the fountain bless visitors by sprinkling holy water over their heads. You can cup your palms and take a sip to prove it is amazingly fresh water. Onshore temples include the Penyawang, a spiritual proxy to Tanah Lot Temple that hosts pilgrims when the main offshore temple is inaccessible during high tide.
Other smaller temples around the site host prayer sessions for various aspects of the villagers agrarian life, from good rice harvests to rites of passage. North of Tanah Lot Temple is Batu Bolong, similarly built on a rock formation with a hollow overpass linking to the mainland. Convenient pathways and well-kept tropical gardens line the grounds from Tanah Lot to Batu Bolong, with resting spots offering shades and good viewpoints to both outcrops.
Art shops selling souvenirs and curios of all sorts line the pathway from the parking area to the temple, also with peddlers selling traditional snacks such as jaja kelepon yummy, must-try palm sugar filled gelatinous balls rolled in grated coconut. Although you cannot enter Tanah Lot Temple grounds, the panoramic views and cultural offerings are highlights to enjoy. On the holy day of Kuningan, five days prior to the temple anniversary date, the heirloom pilgrimage is one of Bali festive parades worth witnessing.
Tanah Lot piodalan falls on every Wednesday that follows each Kuningan on Bali 210 day Pawukon calendar. Dress and act respectfully as on any temple visit in Bali. Large waves near the rocks are hazardous, therefore always take extreme care and obey warning signs. For further safety measures, members of the Balawista lifeguards take shifts to lend a watchful eye at several key points along the coast. Entrance tickets and parking coupons include insurance coverage.
On combined day tours, try reaching Tanah Lot Temple in the early afternoon to explore the site, then head on to the Surya Mandala Cultural Park grand open stage near Batu Bolong to see the sunset Kecak fire dance performances (held daily from 18:30 onwards), then stay on for dinner at one of the restaurants on Sunset Terrace. Here you can enjoy Western and Asian selections, as well as Bali favorite spicy sauced grills and seafood paired with an ice-cold beer and 15m high views over Tanah Lot Temple.
The nearest five-star resort, the Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali, features a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course that flanks the temple, providing a unique golfing experience and a clear view of Tanah Lot Temple from its signature Hole 7.
Entrance Ticket : IDR 50,000
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