Bali 02 - [巴厘岛] Tanah Lot Temple
Channel: 天下山水 Tianxia Shanshui
Date: 2024-04-01

Tanah Lot Temple is one of Bali’s most important landmarks, which is famed for its unique offshore setting and sunset backdrops. An ancient Hindu shrine perched on top of an outcrop amidst constantly crashing waves; Tanah Lot Temple is simply among Bali’s not-to-be-missed icons.

The onshore site of the Tanah Lot temple complex is dotted with smaller shrines together with visitors’ leisure facilities that comprise restaurants, shops and a cultural park where regular dance performances are shown regularly. The temple is located in the Beraban village of the Tabanan regency, an approximate 20km north-west of Kuta. It is often included on sightseeing and cultural tours to Bali’s western and central regions.

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. Local authorities carried out preservation efforts to Tanah Lot and other historical sites island-wide with aid from the Japanese government. Fully restored, a third of the present rock is manmade.

At high tide, waves flood the causeways making it impossible to cross. At low tide, you may cross to view the 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 temples in the area. Priests at the fountain bless visitors by sprinkling them with the water. You can cup your palms and take a sip to prove it is amazingly freshwater.

Onshore temples include the Penyawang, a spiritual proxy to Tanah Lot 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 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 of all sorts line the pathway from the parking area to the temple, also with peddlers selling traditional snacks such as jaja kelepon – must-try palm sugar-filled gelatinous balls rolled in grated coconut.