PURA TANAH LOT

Pura Tanah Lot is one of the 7 temples of the sea on the island of the Gods and certainly one of the most visited. It protects Bali from evil spirits that may come from the sea.

In a sublime and romantic setting, we marvel at the beauty of the place especially at sunset. Perched on a rocky promontory, the temple is cut off from the island twice a day at the time of high tides. Caves dug by the sea at the foot of the rock give it more charm and a mystical character.

The legend says that the high priest of East Java, Nirartha, was seized by the beauty of the site and decided to build the temple there. It is true that the coastline, with its rocks and raging waves, has a wild appearance that enhances the magnificent temple. Tiny, the temple is built on a rock that emerges from the water and was once connected to the land by a natural bridge. This bridge was blown away during a storm. With its towers and its black duk roofs, the temple appears as a shadow at sunset and takes a striking relief. At this place, the sun floods - as in Kuta - by its colors of an intense red, sometimes pink fuchsia which makes the show magical. The photographers enjoy themselves every evening. The temple was built on a fresh water spring that emerged from a large rock. Even today, the only altar to which visitors have access is this small cave from which the water gushes. This source of life is used for ritual functions. The priests of the temple bless the faithful and visitors in exchange for a donation. After this small purifying ceremony, the tourists go towards the terrace which overhangs the sea, to which one reaches by an alley. Bars are installed there and propose to sip a drink while admiring the sun caressing the merus (the black wooden towers, topped with thatch) of the temple, clinging to its rock, then disappearing behind their graceful silhouette. In spite of the tourist effusion, Pura Tanah Lot keeps its magic, expressing once again the tourism-tradition paradox that inhabits the island of the gods. You can eat in the many warung and restaurants that populate the complex, because it is a real "tourist village" that has been built around. You have to cross a good kilometer of souvenir shops before reaching the sea and the temple itself. It is a pity...