It is located at Braban Village, Kediri District, Tabanan Regency. It is about 13 km from the closest city of Tabanan, about 30 km from the main city Denpasar. It can be reached by motorcycle and road fairly good. From Denpasar you can go from Denpasar’s Ubung terminal to tanah lot via Kediri and then from Kediri turn left around 11 kilometer.

The spectacular location of Tanah Lot is possibly the best known and most photographed temple on Bali.  The tourist crowed here are phenomenal, especially at sunset, and the commercial hype is terrible. Tanah Lot sunset tours are heavily promoted in all tourist areas. The temple perched on a little rocky islet, look superb whether delicately lit by the dawn light or starkly outlined at sunset. But can it ever live up to the hype! For the Balinese, Tanah Lot is one of the important and venerated sea temples.

Like Pura Uluwatu, at the southern end of the island. The name of Tanah Lot Temple in tourism bibliography about Bali almost never absent. The name Tanah Lot is probably from “Tanah laut ” means land in the sea. It is the fact that the strong sea abrasion has separated the temple area with Bali mainland, so it looks that the temple nests on a small speck of rock building up on the ocean. Despite the fact that strong hit of sea wave but the site is still standing while the whole sides have disappeared by the raged waves of hundreds of years.

No historical record is found so far to construct the history of the temple. Scripture of Dang Hyang Nirarta mentions that the priest Dang Hyang Nirarta had visited the temple and asked the people around the area to build shrine. While the priest also educates the fishermen there in making fish trap. The temple as a whole is dedicated to the god of the sea. Fishermen pray to get fish and prosperity. A story mentions that one of the shrine at Batukaru temple was lost, and was found here standing at Tanah Lot temple complex.

It was very probable that the temple was built by Mengwi kingdom as the sea temple. A kingdom in Bali normally had 3 main temples, one located near the sea, one in the city or near the palace, and one on the mountain or near the mountain. This concept of 3 temples has also influenced the smaller unit of Balinese settlement in the level called “Banjar “. Every Banjar in Bali has also 3 main temples dedicated to different way of worshipping the gods and ancestor’s spirits.

Now only 3 villages that responsible for the temple those are all nearby villages of Braban, Kelating, and Tibu Biyu, and still as the temple for Mengwi palace. The ceremony is performed every 6 month, based on Hindu-Java calendar which is already printed out during November every year. For tourists, it is not only the traditional magic of the temple is interested, but the location in the natural setting, especially during the sunset, the temple changes into silhouette against the sunsets above Indonesian ocean.

It is located in at Bedugul village, Baturiti district, Tabanan Regency, 1240 meters above the sea level .It is about 62 km from Denpasar and can be reached by motorcycle as the roads are fairly good

This high land destination is located just outside of the small town of Bedugul. A beautiful temple is sited on the soars of lake Bratan and casts a neat reflection it its still waters. Ulun Danu Temple takes on an ephemeral quality at dawn, five hundreds meters from the fruit and the vegetable market Bedugul, and actually projecting into the lake, is the Hindhu / Buddhist temple of Pura Ulun Danu. It’s very picturesque, with a large banyan tree at the entrance, attractive gardens and one courtyard isolated on a tiny island in the lake. Ulun Danu Temple founded in the 17th century, is dedicated to the goddess of the waters.

It is the focus of the ceremonies and pilgrimages to ensure the supply of water. Ulun Danu has classical Hindhu thatched-roof merus (multi-roofed shrine) and an adjoining Buddhist stupa. This very important Hindu-Buddhist temple was founded in the 17th century. It is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of the waters, and is actually built on small islands, which means it is completely surrounded by the lake. Both pilgrimages and ceremonies are held here to ensure that there is a supply of water for farmers all over Bali.

The temple is truly beautiful, with classical Hindu thatch-roofed Meru (multi-roofed shrines) reflected in the water and silhouetted against the often cloudy mountain backdrop – one of the commonest photographic images of Bali. A large banyan tree shades the entrance; walk through manicured gardens and past an impressive Buddhist Stupa to reach the lakeside. An unfortunate aspect is the small animal zoo, left of the main entrance, where tourists are encouraged to be photographed alongside snakes, bats and iguanas, all of which appear to be kept in less than humane conditions.

It lies at Bedulu village, Blahbatuh District, Gianyar Regency, surrounded by rice fields and beautiful banks of Petanu River, and right on the tourism route Denpasar.

Goa Gajah (elephant cave) located two kilometers east of Ubud , this complex overlooks the Petanu river and consists of a SiSwati rock-cut cave, a bathing place, a monks’ chamber, a number of Buddhists rock cut Stupa and statues , and several foundations.

Dating from the 11th century, the temple features statue of Ganesh , Hariti and a sacred bathing pool.The actual site of Goa Gajah (Elephant cave) is down a flight of steps south of the car park.

There were never any elephant on Bali; the cave probably takes its name from the nearby Petanu River which at one time was known as Elephant River, or perhaps because the face over the cave entrance might resemble an elephant.

In the courtyard at Goa Gajah Temple can be found an ancient source of holy water, 12 by 23 meters in size, divided into 3 compartments. The name Goa Gajah  was probably derived from a name mentioned in a scripture called Negara Kertagama written during the reign of His Majesty King Hayam Wuruk of Majapahit kingdom. In this scripture is mentioned that the king had a hermitage on the slope of a mountain called “Lwa Gajah”. Other assumption come from the shape of the cave which entrance is decorated with carving to look like monster, and from a distance look like elephant head. Another said that the name is come after a Ganesha wooden statue which is put in the cave.

Ganesha is a mythological son of Shiva, with human body and elephant head. First excavation was conducted in 1950 based on the surface findings and the scriptures. Before it was excavated the area was totally buried and no indication of the bathing place and the cave. The excavation by National Archaeological Service was successful and could disclose a monumental heritage.It seems that Goa Gajah is a hermitage place for the Buddhist priest or what is later known as Shiva-Buddha Syncretism, since there is remains of Buddhism and Shivaism such as Lingga-Yoni symbol, and the Hariti Fertile Mother.

It was also probable that the oldest Buddhism remains is here, as a Buddhist statue just 25 meters north of the cave was found bearing the same style with those found in Borobudur.On the wall of the cave was written Sanskrit word with a type of old writing called ” Kadiri Quadrate ” mentioning ” Sahivansa “. It is not known what is the meaning exactly. The writing style was developed during the flourish of Singhasari kingdom in East Java around 13th century.

Now the problem still could not be solved is the presence of bathing place with sculpture water fountain. The architecture of this bathing place showing the same style and architecture as those bathing place in East Java called ” Belahan “. While this bathing place has already been disclosed that it was built by king Erlangga of Mataram kingdom in the 10th century. It was probable that the site of Goa Gajah has been continuing from 9th century until much later time of 13th century of Majapahit kingdom.

One important information from the bathing place in East Java is on it’s wall is written ” Udayana Gempeng ” which means Udayana is dying of love ” While the figure Udayana is known as one of the famous king in Bali during 11th century. Historian supposed that the king was falling in love with one of the princess of East Java which was in fact the Princess Mahendradatta that he married and ruling Bali together. The princess was died earlier and was said to have been rested at Burwan.

Another fact that is very important for Balinese since the marriage of above couple is that, all ancient Balinese language was changed into old Javanese Language, the introduction of Hindu-Javanese Calendar which is consist of 7 days a month, and 210 days a year. It is strongly believed that since this time the most important Holiday of Balinese was started such as Galungan and Kuningan holiday.

It is about 36 km from the city of Denpasar, in Tampak siring district, Gianyar regency. The roads are good and paved can be reached by any cars.

Tirta Empul Temple bequeathed to the people by ancient Rajadom is perhaps one of the most fascinating spot in the area. On the west side of this temple, high on the hill could be found a Presidential palace that was built during Soekarno’s time. Which is an unspectacular; single-storey structure with several outbuildings designed by Sukarna himself and built in 1954 on the site of a Dutch rest house. The name of Tirta Empul derives from large spring in the center of the Temple “Tirta “mean holy water and Tirta Empul is Holy spring water.

The Tirta Empul’s water flowing down to the Pakerisan’s river. Along the Pakerisan River there are some ancient monuments. The temple was built around 960 AD, during the ruled of Raja Candra Bayangsingha from the Warmadewa dynasty. Coforming with the structure of the most Balinese temple, it is divided into three main courtyards such as: the outer yard, the middle yard and the inner yard or the holiest part of the temple where the prayers take place.

Mayadenawa Raja Batu Anyar, of Bedulu, and Bhatara Indra. In the ancient tale the Raja Mayadenawa was such a tyrant forbade the people to carry out their religions activity to request the blessing of God. The Gods heard about this tyranny, and led by Bhatara Indra they attacked Mayadenawa. In the end he lost the battle and run away to hide in the forest to the north of the village Tampak Siring. With his magic powers He created a spring of poison.

Which coursed the death amongst Indra’s troops who drank the water with poison from the poisonous spring? In fury Bhatara Indra drove his spear into the ground at the point where the spring was bubbling up, rerouting it come out through the centre of Tirta Empul. His holy water was used to splash upon the afflicted Gods and revive them from the grasps of death. This mythology the expedition of Patih (minister) Gajah Mada from Majapahit courned Bali 1343 is symbolized Bhatara Indra, and the evil Raja Mayadenawa as Bhatara Cri Astasura Bhumi Banten.

According to folklore this myth is also connected to the Galungan day, which is celebrated every 6 months (210 days) according to the Balinese calendar, on a day known as “Hari Rebo Kliwon Wuku Dungulan” Galungan is a day on which battle beween good (Darma) and evil (Adharma) is commemorated. Every year on the day of Galungan all the sacred dance masks in Gianyar district are brought to the temple of Tirta Empul to be bathed in holy water.

The holy springs Temple at Tirta Empul are believed to have magical powers where most of the Balinese do the purification so the temple here is an important one. Despite its antiquity, the temple is glossy and gleaming new – it was totally restored in the late 60s. The inscription mentions the construction of Tirta Empul temple in 960 AD, when the king Chandrabhaya Singha Warmadewa ordered this which is already 1042 years ago.

It seems that this place was not interesting for ancient king but the first Indonesian president Soekarno had built his presidential villas just at the west side of the temple. This villa has brought also the name of Tampaksiring become known world widely. The present temple as a common temple of Bali, the layout is divided into 3 courtyards. At the middle courtyard is constructed and first courtyards were constructed:
1.Pool with 13 fountains, used as holy water for cremation or dead ceremony,
2.Pool with 8 fountains, used as water for symbolic cleaning ( spiritual purification ), when a person is sick it is believed he is infected by immaterial dirt.
3.Pool with 5 fountains for holy water used people from outside come to pray.

At the first courtyard is also a pool for public bathing place.
Total numbers of shrines are 30 nits currently, after later addition by local people who have the responsibility for the temple. The ceremony is performed every 210 days, and fixed date can be read in Balinese calendar. There is an old stone sculpture being preserved at the last courtyard of the temple in the form of buffalo. The condition of the carving is badly damage, so it can not be observed in detail to fix the type. Buffalo in the pantheon of Hindu is considered as the mount of god Shiwa and this animal is called ” Nandi.