Land in the Middle of the sea, Tanah Lot

Location

Tanah Lot is a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. It is home of a pilgrimage temple, the Pura Tanah Lot and a popular motif for tourists photography.

Tanah Lot means "Land in the Middle of the sea" in Balinese language[citation needed]. Located in Tabanan, about 20 km from Denpasar, the temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide.

Tanah Lot is claimed to be the work of the 15th century priest Nirartha. During his travels along the south coast he saw the rock-island's beautiful setting and rested there. Some fishermen saw him, and bought him gifts. Nirartha then spent the night on the little island. Later he spoke to the fishermen and told them to build a shrine on the rock for he felt it to be a holy place to worship the Balinese sea gods.[citation needed]

The Tanah Lot temple was built and has been a part of Balinese mythology for centuries. The temple is one of seven sea temples around the Balinese coast. Each of the sea temples were established within eyesight of the next to form a chain along the south-western coast.

At the base of the rocky island, poisonous sea snakes are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders. As well as one giant snake which also protects the temple, which was created from Nirartha’s scarf when he established the island.

The area leading to Tanah Lot is highly commercialised and people are required to pay to enter the area. To reach the temple, visitors must walk through a carefully planned set of Balinese market-format souvenir shops which cover each side of the path down to the sea. On the mainland cliff tops, restaurants have also been provided for tourists.

See

Tanah Lot is one of the most famous temples on Bali. This is a temple complex on a cliff. Plenty of tourists come there, especially at the sunset, there are also a great amount of venders of different types offering everything possible. Entrance fee is 10 000 IDR, parking fee is 5000 IDR. At the moment (July 2006) the temple is being renovated, entrance is prohibited, but the complex itself is worth visiting: very beautiful pictures can be done from two cliffs above the ocean. It is also possible to come to the temple walking in the water in order to receive the ministrations of priests, who stand there, sprinkle people with Holy water and put them (like real Hindus) some rice on the forehead, what means "good thinking".

Accomodation

* Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort [1] You can see Tanah Lot temple from the lobby and its an amazing view with the waves pounding the ground. The resort is surrounded by huge gold course and paddy field. For golf lovers, this is an heaven because of the view of nature, ocean, Tanah Lot during the game. At night the resort is quiet and you can view the moon light from the sunset bar lounge. Many honeymooners choose this resort due to its location that's secluded from the hustle and bustle of Kuta city. The rooms pretty big, consist of shower & bath tub and balcony for all rooms. They have limited Villas with plunge pool, Bali begong and outdoor shower. For those wanting to experience ubud and kuta can use the shuttle service that's free.

* Semarapura Villa - Semarapura Private Villa

Took its first booking in Christmas 2008, this 5 bedroom Villa is an expansive luxury beachfront villa, located about 10 mins south of Tanah Lot, 40 minutes from Seminyak on Bali’s southwest coast. This private Bali rental villa is comprised of a series of pavilions, swimming pool and ornamental ponds, leisurely spread throughout an expansive 5000 square metres (one acre and a quarter) of rolling lawns. Fully staffed and ideal for events.

*Villa les Rizieres - Luxury and Private villa in Tanah Lot Bali

Villa les Rizieres offers a unique way to experience all of the island's charms at your own pace. 6 luxury bedrooms villa + one extra bedroom. Villa les Rizieres can luxury accommodate 14 persons. This is a unique property - 1.5 hectare land- for whom seeking a classy living in Bali. The villa benefits from the ideal situation in Tanah Lot, next to Nirvana Golf course awarded the best Golf course in Asia for the last 5 years, and designed by Greg Norman.