Tanah Lot, where Tanah means the land and Lot means the sea, Tanah Lot temple is a Hindu temple in Bali that is among the top attractions in Bali. Located on a rock in the sea, resembling a small floating island, the name Tanah Lot means the land on sea. Tanah Lot temple is located in Beraban village, in the district of Kediri. It is a family destination, located at a convenient distance from many a popular Bali family resort like Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali.
In addition to being a sacred location where God Baruna, the God of the sea, is worshipped and prayed to for prosperity and equilibrium between sea and earth, Tanah Lot is well known for its breath-taking view of the sunset. During high tide, the temple appears to be simply floating in the sea, and towards the evening, a sunset unlike any other can be viewed from the temple grounds. Thus, within the hours of 4pm to about 7pm, Tanah Lot becomes busy with both local and foreign visitors, all looking for a photo-worthy sunset.
According to legend, the temple is protected by sacred snakes that were born out of the scarves of its founder. As such, the temple is sacred to the local populace, and there is a belief that snakes roam the temple premises to date, protecting it. The belief is that if one causes any harm to the temple, the snakes will attack.
While the temple itself is full of mystique wonder, most of it is recent construction because the temple was crumbling from old age. Due to the importance of the temple as a site of religious and cultural importance, non-Bali people are not allowed to enter the temple, though roaming the grounds and taking pictures is not prohibited.
Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world.
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