Spectacular sunset at Pura Tanah Lot

Spectacular sunset. Image: lailimarzuqo.blogspot.com

If you go to Bali then you need to visit a temple standing on a rock, named Pura Tanah Lot. This temple is very unique and beautiful. You can find this temple in the village Beraban Kediri, Tabanan District, taken approximately 35 minutes from Kuta area. There are two temples are located on a large rock. One is located on top of the boulder, when the tide of this temple will be seen surrounded by the sea and the other, precisely in the north Pura Tanah Lot temple located there is a jutting into the sea and over the cliff.

Ritual in Pura Tanah Lot. Image: blogbendot.blogspot.com

Pura Tanah Lot is part of the temple  Six (Sad Kahyangan) heaven worshiped by Hindus in Bali. Sad Kahyangan means are 6 main temple which is revered by Hindus in Bali. All six of this temple is very old age, and has been there since the days of ancient Balinese kingdom. The six sacred temple is spread over six winds on the island of Bali.

 Pura Tanah Lot is a temple in the middle of the beach and is a place of worship of God in manifestation as the ruler of the sea. Tanah Lot, famous as a beautiful place to see the sunset, guests will usually come in the afternoon to see the beauty of the sunset. The beauty of the sunset in the temple is also the target of a professional photographer and photography enthusiast, and of course the tourists. 

The Snake Legend

Snake in Tanah Lot. Image: aboutbali.blogspot.com

This beautiful temple founded Nirartha, a Brahmin from Java, and he managed to strengthen the trust of local communities to implement the teachings of Hinduism and Six (Sad Kahyangan) heaven. When there is a ritual at this temple, you will see a convoy carrying Hindu temple offerings and equipment, and they wear a special outfit for Balinese worship.

Pose with snake. Image: kutaraya.blogspot.com

There is a unique story of the temple, even considered as a legend, the Bendesa (village leaders) Beraban feel unrivaled many of his followers left him and became a follower Danghyang Nirartha. Then Bendesa told Nirartha leaving Tanah Lot. Nirartha agreed to go, but before leaving Tanah Lot, with the magic power to move his stone boulders into the middle of the beach, and build a temple there. Nirartha also changed her shawl into a snake temple guards. Local people believe that the snake is still there today. This snake is a type of sea snakes that have the characteristics of flat tail like a fish, striped black and yellow. Bendesa Beraban amazed and eventually became followers of Nirartha. You can see these snakes near the temple; you can even take pictures with this snake. You can also enjoy Kecak Dance in the area of this temple.

Kecak. Dance. Image: sanur.org

Travelling in Bali, your visit is not complete without visiting the Pura Tanah Lot. Around this temple there are hotels and villas are very beautiful, there is even a resort with direct views of the temple. Of course in the afternoon, you will get a view of the sunset was spectacular. Imagine if you are on a honeymoon, then you will feel very romantic atmosphere. To be sure, Bali is “The Last Paradise”,  and you will earn a beautiful memory from this tropical island.