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Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia: Pura Tanah Lot at sunset. Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas on

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot means “Land in the Sea” in the Balinese language. The Tanah lot is a temple located in Tabanan, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) North West of Denpasar.The temple is one of seven sea temples around the Balinese coast. Each of the sea temples was established within eyesight of the next to form a chain along the south-western coast. 

The temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide.The main deity of the temple is Dewa Baruna or Bhatara Segara, who is the sea god or sea power. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts about it;

1.There are venomous sea snakes believed to guard the temple 

At the base of the rocky island, venomous sea snakes are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders. The temple is purportedly protected by a giant snake, which was created from Nirartha’s selendang (a type of sash) when he established the island. 

These venomous snakes are guardians of the temple and have been so for so many year dating back to when it was build. They are also one the tourist attractions in the temple. 

2.The entrance fee is easy and affordable for locals though expensive for foreigners

Tanah Lot in India Ocean. Photo by Pinterpandai on

The entrance fee is easy and affordable for locals though a little bit expensive for foreigners. Entrance tickets cost 20,000 Rupiah for Indonesian nationals (Rp 15,000 for children), but foreigners have to pay three times the price, or Rp 60,000 (Rp 30,000 for children).

To reach the temple, visitors must walk through a set of Balinese market-format souvenir shops which cover each side of the path down to the sea. On the mainland clifftops, restaurants have also been provided for tourists.This tourist attraction is located in Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan, approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) south of Tabanan.

3.The inner or main temple is not accessible for the public

One of the most surprising things about traveling to Bali is that the main temple of Tanah Lot is not accessible to tourists. But that doesn’t stop many from trekking to this famous destination just to take in the view of one of Bali’s most famous and sacred Hindu Temples.

During low tide, you can cross to the offshore rock where the main temple resides and explore the base (but not the stairs or the temple itself). However, in high tide, the temple is inaccessible.

4.The temple is of historically significance to the Hindu customs and culture

Tanah Lot beautiful sunset. Photo by Pinterpandai on

The temple itself is quite historically significant, as it is said to be where a high Hindu priest established a site to honor the Sea God Varuna. Despite opposition from the village chief, he guarded the rock with the help of sea snakes and was able to successfully meditate until he achieved enlightenment.

Although there are many other temples you could visit in Bali instead, Tanah Lot is unique thanks to its off-shore position.it is also of great importance to the culture and customs of the Hindu people. 

5.Tanah Lot Temple is one of Bali’s most important landmarks

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.

6.Pilgrims bring relics each Kuningan day to the Luhur Pakendungan temple

Pura Tanah Lot, Bali. Photo by Annisa Rofiatul Amaliah on

Before setting off, Nirartha gifted the next leader a holy kris dagger, which is now among the sanctified heirlooms of the Kediri royal palace. Pilgrims bring these relics each Kuningan day by foot on an 11km pilgrimage to the Luhur Pakendungan temple, the priest’s former meditational site. 

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.

7.Hindus from different areas in Bali will come to worship in peace and harmony

On the holy day of Kuningan, five days prior to the temple’s anniversary date, the heirloom pilgrimage is one of Bali’s festive parades worth witnessing.Tanah Lot’s piodalan falls on every Wednesday that follows each Kuningan on Bali’s 210-day Pawukon calendar.

At that time all the Hindus from different areas in Bali will come to worship in peace and harmony to invoke.And Tanah Lot Temple is a Hindu shrine built to worship the God in its manifestation as the God of the sea (God Baruna) to invoke prosperity and the balance of sea and the land. 

8.The temple is build using one of the most beautiful architectural design

Pura Tanah Lot temple. Photo by Redlands597198 on

The temple is build using one of the most beautiful architectural design . The architectural Balinese gate and many art shops offering local handicrafts besides other products like T-shirts, Balinese sarongs, hats, sandals, accessories, paintings, woodcarvings, and more. Here you will also find stalls selling food and drinks.

The tourist area of Pura Tanah Lot near the rock is very well build and managed for visitors. It has a parking area, toilets, art shops, restaurants, hotel, open stage, tourist information centre, and security and safety services. Your ticket also covers insurance against accidents.

9.There are several hotels and restaurants near it

There are several hotels near the Tanah Lot temple including ;Natya Hotel Tanah Lot which is 0.19 miles, Luxury villa bali (0.19 mi), Hotel Dewi Sinta (0.22 mi), Nirjhara (1.20 mi) and Pelan Pelan – Surf and Yoga Retreat which is 2.17 miles away. 

Restaurants near the Tanah Lot temple including;The Loly Pop restaurant, Gloria Jeans Tanah Lot (0.01 mi), Natys Restaurant Tanah Lot (0.21 mi), Depot Dini Cafe Restaurant (0.22 mi) and The Ocean Restaurant Tanah Lot which is 0.20 miles away. 

10.The rock base where the legendary sea snakes dwell there is a fountain from which holy water is obtained

Tanah Lot Temple is over there, the one which stand on the top of rock. Photo by Varenniabhargah on

The rock base where the legendary ‘guardian’ sea snakes dwell in crevices, there is a Tirta Pabersihan fountain.This natural spout is the source of holy water for all the temples in the area. Priests at the fountain bless visitors by sprinkling holy water over their heads. 

Onshore temples include the Penyawang, a spiritual proxy to Tanah Lot Temple 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 villages. 

The temple is one of the most visited tourist attraction and it is one of the most significant when it comes to Hindu culture.