Tanah Lot Temple: ᬧᬸᬭᬢᬦᬄᬮᭀᬢ᭄ is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in Bali, Indonesia. The name Tanah Lot comes from the word “tanah” which means land or island and “lot” or lod which means sea. So the name Tanah Lot can be interpreted as a land or island located in the sea. Here there are two temples located on large rocks. One is located on a boulder and the other is located on a cliff similar to Uluwatu Temple. Tanah Lot Temple is part of Dang Kahyangan Temple. Tanah Lot Temple is a sea temple where the guardian gods of the sea are worshipped. Tanah Lot is famous as a beautiful place to watch the sunset.
- History
According to legend, in the 15th century, Bhagawan Dang Hyang Nirartha, also known as Dang Hyang Dwijendra, was on a mission to spread Hinduism from Java to Bali.At that time, King Dalem Waturenggong reigned supreme on the island of Bali. He warmly welcomed Dang Hyang Nirartha’s mission, enabling the spread of Hinduism to reach remote villages across Bali.
In the history of Tanah Lot, Dang Hyang Nirartha saw a sacred light emanating from the southern sea of Bali. He searched for the source of the light and arrived at a beach in the village of Beraban, Tabanan.At that time, Beraban village was led by Bendesa Beraban Sakti, who strongly opposed Dang Hyang Nirartha’s teachings on the spread of Hinduism. Bendesa Beraban Sakti adhered to monotheism.Dang Hyang Nirartha meditated on a rock resembling a parrot, which was originally located on land.The Bendesa of Beraban attempted to expel Dang Hyang Nirartha from his meditation spot using various methods.
According to the history of Tanah Lot, legend has it that Dang Hyang Nirartha moved a rock (his meditation spot) to the middle of the beach using spiritual powers. The rock was named Tanah Lot, meaning “rock in the middle of the ocean.”Since that event, the Bendesa Beraban Sakti recognized Dang Hyang Nirartha’s supernatural powers and embraced Hinduism, along with the entire local population.According to the history of Tanah Lot, before leaving Beraban village, Dang Hyang Nirartha gave the Bendesa Beraban a keris (a dagger) to the Beraban village head. This keris has the power to cure all plant diseases.The keris is kept in the Kediri Temple, and religious ceremonies are held there every six months. Since this has become a routine practice for the villagers of Beraban, the villagers’ well-being has improved significantly, with abundant agricultural harvests and a life of mutual respect.
- Legend
According to legend, this temple was built by a wandering Brahmin from Java, namely Dang Hyang Nirartha who succeeded in strengthening the Balinese people’s belief in Hindu teachings and built the Sad Kahyangan in the 16th century. At that time, the ruler of Tanah Lot named Bendesa Beraban felt jealous of him because his followers one by one began to leave him and become followers of Dang Hyang Nirartha. Bendesa Beraban then ordered Dang Hyang Nirartha to leave Tanah Lot. Dang Hyang Nirartha agreed, but before that he with his power moved a large boulder to the sea (but the distance was still not too far from the shoreline) and built a temple on top of the large boulder.He also changed his shawl into a snake that guards the temple. This snake still exists today and scientifically this snake is a type of sea snake that has the characteristics of a flat tail like a fish, black with yellow stripes and has a venom three times stronger than a cobra. In addition, he then stuck his wooden stick into the ground under the large rock, then immediately fresh water came out that gushed from the ground under the large rock, even though the large rock was located in the sea which is actually salty water. And the fresh water that gushed out from the ground is believed by the local people as ‘Holy Water’ a gift from Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God) to the people of Beraban village through the brahmana, Dang Hyang Nirartha. Finally, it is said that after witnessing all of this, the Bendesa Beraban came to believe in the supernatural powers possessed by Dang Hyang Nirartha, and then became a follower of the Brahmin, Dang Hyang Nirartha.
- Location
The Tanah Lot tourist attraction is located in Beraban Village, Kediri District, Tabanan Regency, approximately 13 kilometers south of Tabanan City.
To the north of Tanah Lot Temple, another temple is built on a cliff jutting out into the sea. This cliff connects the temple to the mainland and is shaped like a curved bridge. This temple is called Pura Batu Bolong
z8isty