Pura Tanah Lot is a living evidence that religion runs deep. There are so many temples in Bali - many of which were built centuries ago. 85% of Bali's population believe in Hinduism. Religion can be seen in all facets of their daily lives, rangin from the way they start their mornings with offerings to the belief that gods aid in their rice production.
As for Pura Tanah Lot, it was founded by a high priest Danghyang Nirartha who fled from Java to Bali in the 16th century due to the rise of Islam. During his travels, he was attracted to a light emanating from a point on the west coast where he stopped and meditated. Locals became entranced with Nirartha and began studying with him. However, a local leader became jealous and challenged the high priest. Not bothered, Norartha simply moved the place where he was meditating to the sea, thus giving its name - "Temple of the Land in the Sea". He tossed his sashes into the waves, which became transformed into venomous sea snakes; they supposedly dwell in caves located in the base of the temple. The sacred snakes are considered as living guardians of the temple and prevent evil forces from trying to enter.
The temple is one of seven sea temples around the Balinese coast and definitely the most commercialised one. It's also mentioned that each of the sea temples were established within eyesight of the next to form a chain along the south-western coast.
Today, whilst I learnt about the history of the temple, it must be said that people don't. The venue has become the subject of a zillion pixels and an cultural icon for photography during sunset. History was there for us, but are we just too blinded by other sights to embrace how history came about?
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