No doubt the popularity of the beauty of Tanah Lot has spread to all corners of the world. One of the temples on the island of Bali that has the status of Khayangan Jagad Temple is known as a place that presents a very beautiful sunset view. Witnessing the silhouette of the temple against the background of the orange sky will surely leave deep memories. But, besides the beauty of the panorama, this temple also holds another uniqueness that is worth listening to for anyone who wants to visit it.
One of the peculiarities of Tanah Lot Temple is its position which is located above a large boulder. This stone will be submerged at high tide, morning to evening. This is what makes Tanah Lot Temple during the day as if separated from the mainland of Bali. This is in accordance with the meaning of "Tanah Lot". In Balinese, "land lot" means land in the middle of the sea. Because of this peculiarity, Tanah Lot Temple is crowded with tourists, especially in the afternoon.
When the sea water recedes, you will see a small cave opposite the temple. This cave is said to be the place where the sea snake resides which is believed to be the guardian of Tanah Lot Temple. In this cave, visitors can see a large snake guarded by a handler - as part of a local attraction. Visitors can stroke the snake and ask for luck by volunteering donations.
Another attraction that invites the attention of visitors is the ritual of purification at the holy water source located just below the Tanah Lot Temple. Here, visitors can wash their faces, drink holy water, and receive a kind of blessing ritual from the temple administrator. The visitors will get a splash of water that has been recited by the mantra, affixed bija on the forehead, and put flowers in the ear. By passing through all the processions, the visitors are considered to have undergone a purification ritual and can touch the area of the stairs of the temple, although it is still forbidden to enter the inside of the temple.
For photography lovers, the end of the evening is the time to capture the sunset panorama. The right position is needed to produce beautiful and satisfying photos. There are many choices of observation points that can be tried, but one of the best is from the top of the cliff on the east side of Tanah Lot Temple. The visitors can adjust the position of observation in the cliff courtyard filled with tables and chairs provided by local stalls. Accompanied by a serving of fresh young coconut ice, the beautiful panorama of the sunset can be immortalized while relaxing.
