Tanah Lot is a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. It is home of a pilgrimage temple, the Pura Tanah Lot and a popular motif for tourists photography.
Tanah Lot means "Land in the Middle of the sea" in Balinese language. Located in Tabanan, about 20 km from Denpasar, the temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide.
The Tanah Lot temple was built and has been a part of Balinese mythology for centuries. The temple is one of seven sea temples around the Balinese coast. Each of the sea temples were established within eyesight of the next to form a chain along the south-western coast. Tanah Lot is one of the most famous temples on Bali. This is a temple complex on a cliff. Plenty of tourists come there, especially at the sunset, there are also a great amount of venders of different types offering everything possible.
At the base of the rocky island, poisonous sea snakes are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders. As well as one giant snake which also protects the temple, which was created from Nirartha’s scarf when he established the island.
In 1980 the temple’s rock face was starting to crumble and the area around and inside the temple started to become dangerous. The Japanese government then provided a loan to the Indonesia government of Rp. 800 billion to conserve the historic temple and other beach locations around the island of Bali. As a result, over one third of the rock which can be seen is artificial rock created under the Japanese upgrade works.
At the moment (July 2006) the temple is being renovated, entrance is prohibited, but the complex itself is worth visiting: very beautiful pictures can be done from two cliffs above the ocean. It is also possible to come to the temple walking in the water in order to receive the ministrations of priests, who stand there, sprinkle people with Holy water and put them (like real Hindus) some rice on the forehead, what means "good thinking".
The area leading to Tanah Lot is highly commercialised and people are required to pay to enter the area. To reach the temple, visitors must walk through a carefully planned set of Balinese market-format souvenir shops which cover each side of the path down to the sea. On the mainland cliff tops, restaurants have also been provided for tourists.
With all those facilities available in Tanah Lot makes several Bali villas development company choose this area to build their property. One such property is The Lotus Residence. This Luxury villa set amidst in the lush Paddy Fields, Tropical Balinese Garden and Lotus Ponds in the ancient village of Pandak Bandung in Kediri-Tabanan near Tanah Lot on Bali’s West Coast, perched on the ridge of the Laing river valley facing to the east. This luxury villa is just 10 kilometers from Bali Nirwana Golf Course or Tanah Lot temple.
Lotus luxury villa was designed and built by a Balinese Architect on 12000 sqm land with a distinctively Balinese flavor design used an alang-alang thatched roof, Balinese entrance gate ‘Angkul’ constructed of brick, natural white paras stone work, timber and traditional structure which has been creating a natural atmosphere blends with modern interior design in harmony with the tranquil garden and idyllic lotus pond.
The whole resident composed of four thatched structure consist of 2 of Two-Bedroom Pavilion and 2 of One-Bedroom Pavilion, Spacious semi open air living and dining area overlooking Lotus Pond with water fountain where guest could enjoy the breezy wind from the valley & paddy fields and a 8 x 20 sqm main swimming pool with Balinese open air garden gazebo ideal for relaxation.
Fully equipped kitchen, a separate staff quarter and full household of staff are also available to look after during your stay. Lotus Residence could comfortably accommodate large families or small groups of golfers and is an ideal setting for hosting intimate gathering or wedding venues. Guest may choose to rent an entire residence or an individual free standing Guest Bedroom within villa.
