Sacred sea snakes at Tanah Lot...

Tanah Lot temple is the most photographed temple in Asia. Not surprisingly considering the remarkable location: on a rocky islet that is only accessible during low tide.

On top of that, the sunsets are just amazing and most travellers make sure that they go to the temple to see it.

 

 

The temple is just 13km south west from Tabanan and a short drive from Kuta. The landscape to the temple is already a beautiful sight to see, so you’ll definitely enjoy yourself on your way to the temple.

Tanah lot means ‘land in the water’ and is one of the many beautiful temples along the south coast.

This string of temples is built to worship the protectors of the sea. When standing at one of the southern temples, it is possible to see the next one in the far distance.

However as a visitor you will not be able to see Pura Uluwatu from Tanah Lot because, like many other temples, it is not allowed to actually enter the temple area.

 

 

Despite the many visitors each day, the temple is very important for the Balinese and used frequently for ceremonies. It is not unusual to see a group of colourful dressed women with baskets or offerings on their heads and men in white strolling to the temple.

The guardians of the temples are poisonous snakes that are considered sacred. The Balinese believe that they are the descendants of the snake god Basuki.

Basuki is the protector of the sea temple and the meru with 5 roofs is built to honour this god.

 

 

You won’t easily bump into the snakes though because they are dozing away throughout the day in the ridges of the cliff and there is always somebody to watch over them.

Only at low tide do they move towards the temple to eat from the offerings placed by the Balinese people.

Don’t confuse these sacred snakes with the big boa constrictors. These are found just a couple of meters from the temple and for a couple of Rupiah you can have them on your neck for a picture...

 

Great view from the cliff...

 

It is also possible to stroll around the well maintained garden. Unlike the area at the entrance, there are no shops on the temple complex. So you can fully admire the temple and make pictures from every corner without being persuaded to buy more souvenirs.

The stairs up the cliff leads to an area with a lot of restaurants. This is the place to sit during the sunset. You must be early for a front row seat...It can get really busy.