Quite likely the biggest attraction in the fertile Tabanan Regency, otherwise known as Bali’s rice basket, is Pura Pakendungan or Tanah Lot Temple, as it’s better known today.  A spectacular holy landmark that was founded in the 16th century by the wandering Javanese priest Danghyang Nirartha who was so taken by the dramatic beauty of the locale that he asked the fishermen to build a shrine to the guardian spirits of the sea.  It is one of the seven very important directional puras that were created to form a viewable chain of temples along Bali’s southwest coast. Each of the sea temples was established within eyesight of the next to form a chain along the southwestern coast. This temple has significant Hindu influence.

Tanah Lot means, "Land in the Sea" in the Balinese language. The temple Pura Tanah Lot sits on a large offshore rock that has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide. Tourists throng here during sunset so for a less distracting visit try to make your pilgrimage during the pre-dawn hours when sunrise views are less crowded but just as rewarding.

Restoration started in 1980, the temple's rock face was starting to crumble and the area around and inside the temple started to become dangerous. As a result, over one third of Tanah Lot's "rock" is actually cleverly disguised artificial rock created during the Japanese-funded and supervised renovation and stabilization program.