The Tanah Lot temple is one of Bali’s thousand temples. It’s not for nothing said, that Bali is also called the island of the thousand temples. Obviously, the island is home to uncountable small and big temples.
In fact, Bali is different from Java or Sumatra. The majority of the population belongs to the Hindu religion in Bali. That’s why these temples belong to Hinduism. However, Bali has more than temples only. Nature, jungle, and volcanos, and in between the spirit of the Balinese lifestyle.
The Tanah Lot Temple is one of the most famous temples in Bali. The temple locates on a conspicuous rock and is only accessible by low tide. The temple is a major tourist spot. Bali is the Island of the thousand temples and Tanah Lot is only one of them.
Tanah Lot is one of seven temples. All seven temples were built along the south coast of Bali. These temples were devoted to the Balinese sea gods. Opposite the temple rock, a small cave is the home of a couple of sea snakes. The story tells that the sea snakes are the guardian of the temple.
The access to the temple depends on the tide of the ocean. During high tide no access is possible. However, even during low tide, the way to the temple is a walk through passing 30 cm deep water. Even though the temple is a tourist attraction, the temple is still in use to celebrate ceremonies.
The holy spring at the foot of the rock is a freshwater spring in the middle of the salty ocean. The priests donate the water as holy water. However, surrounded by the Indian Ocean the place is full of spirit. The holy snakes in a cave and the holy spring make this temple exceptional.