Pura Tanah Lot -- Top 10 Facts Versus Myths -- Bali's No #1 Attraction

 Pura Tanah Lot Temple

Find out about the top-ranking facts and myths that have been circulating about Pura Tanah Lot Temple for ages.

1. 8 Holy Temples Surround Tanah Lot Area

Now that you know this fact, around this area consists of Pura Luhur Tanah Lot, and eight temples operate as shrines. These eight temples are in fact Tri Antaka Monument, Penataran Temple, Jero Kandang Temple, Pura Penyawang, Batu Mejan Temple, Enjung Galuh Temple, Batu Bolong Temple, and Pura Pakendungan.

2. Dang Hyang Nirartha Built Them

A popular legend on Tanah Lot goes something like this: Once, an eminent Brahmin coming from Java wanted to spread Hindi religion in Bali. This esteemed Brahmin called Bhagawan Dang Hyang Nirartha. 

The building of Tanah Lot started with instructions shown from the sacred sun rays shining from the South Sea direction.

3. The Holy Snake Guards It

Anyone visiting Tanah Lot, would have seen a sacred inside the sea temple. The Tanah Lot's holy snake resides in the Cave of the Holy Snake. The holy snake's existence is a major reason which attracts several visitors. The Tanah Lot's sacred snake is supposed to be the incarnation of the scarf belonging to Dang Hyang Nirartha.

This sacred snake, though black and white, is extremely poisonous. But locals have the belief that if tourists have good intentions while visiting this temple, the sacred snake does not harm them. 

4. Ceremony Performed Once Every 210 Days

Another tidbit about Tanah Lot is there exist ceremonies known as either Piodalan or Pujawali that are carried out every 210 days. This ceremony happening at Tanah Lot takes place four days following Kuningan Day. The local community and Hindus come to perform the holy ceremony in Tanah Lot.

In this particular ceremony, all Hindus pray for the safety and welfare of life. Prior to the ceremony, these Hindus must first wash their faces in the Tanah Lot Cave with holy water to be allowed to pray.

5. There is a Sacred Spring

The temple existing where there's fresh water while the sea surrounds it might for sure shock several strangers. But that’s how things are there, for you'll notice a sacred spring situated in the area where Tanah Lot Temple sits. This same sacred spring can be seen also in the holy water cave. According to legend, Tanah Lot's holy spring can heal different illnesses.

6. Renovation has Improved Tanah Lot 

Were you aware that one of Bali's most popular attractions has been renovated? The area in which Tanah Lot Temple stands is vulnerable to abrasion because of ocean waves. 

Thus, this renowned temple located in Bali has gone through a phase of renovation. The first one occurred in 198. Additional efforts for renovating and protecting Tanah Lot continued until February 2003.

7. Touring Tanah Lot as a Couple Could Cause a Breakup?

Besides the striking variety of information of Tanah Lot, one other popular myth exists that locals tell visitors. The myth claims that if you ask a boyfriend or girlfriend to come as a couple to Tanah Lot, you're endangering your relationship. Despite this, several couples defiantly choose to conduct pre-wedding photos here.

8. Near to Melasti Beach Waterfall Tourist Attraction

This temple happens to lie close to the Melasti Beach Waterfall. Melasti Beach Waterfall's water falls from a cliff before plunging straight into the beach. In addition to the waterfall's beauty, you could admire the amazing vista of Melasti Beach, not far from Tanah Lot.

9. A Charming Site to Behold Sunset

For those who love catching the stunning sights of sunset, come to the Tanah Lot Temple during the evening with your camera.

Tanah Lot is the ideal place to watch the breathtaking sunset. If you wish to observe for yourself the most incredible sunset at Tanah Lot, stop by one hour prior to sunset. You won't regret it!

10. Its Silhouette Ranks Highly as Bali's Popular Icon 

Its silhouette is unusually unique that is has grown Bali's most popular iconic attraction. Come and you too will see and agree.

Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in Indonesia

Wieliczka Salt Mine -- Top 11 Fascinating Facts -- on Salt Mine Attraction

 Wieliczka Salt Mine

1. Krakow's salt mine is more than 700 years old

In the 13th century, the first ever mine shafts were unearthed in Wieliczka, a town, around 8 miles from Krakow. Commercial mining went on until 1996. At one point, the Germans turned the mine into a base.

2. The mine has a depth comparable to the Eiffel Tower's

The mine's deepest end goes as far as 1073 feet under the ground, beating the Eiffel Tower's height by 10 feet. The mine tunnels' total length is a mind-blowing 178 miles! To enter the mine, you would have to go below 380 stairs only to arrive at the first out of nine levels. Though the entire tour has more than 800 stairs, visitors may have the option to ride the lift to return to the surface. 

3. The mine became a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Wieliczka Salt Mine was not only listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also was one of the first twelve enrolled in 1978, alongside Krakow’s historic center. In addition, the site includes Bochnia Salt Mine and Wieliczka Saltworks Castle.

4. Majority of the mine is built from salt

Although it's a salt mine, wooden beams exist in several of the tunnels; otherwise, the ceilings, floors, and walls are carved straight out of salt, including many reliefs and sculptures around the mine.

Probably the most extraordinary are all the crystals which hang from several of the mine's chandeliers; though appearing like glass, they’re really huge salt crystals originating from rock salt that were once being dissolved and reconstructed.

5. Salt helped preserve mine's tools 

It's true that not everything in the mine was made of salt like buckets, winches, mining tools, and a few sculptures, which were built of wood, proving that salt is a superb preservative, for several of the apparatus and tools are still in great condition today.

6. A salt formation is called cauliflower

Although the majority of the mine's rock salt is dull grey in appearance, some batches assume a white fluffy look. The miners christened this cauliflower, probably not its official name.

7. Bungee jumping & hot air ballooning took place in the mine

Actually, a hot air balloon in 2014 rose 65 feet above the floor but for only 4 minutes. However, the tour guide admitted that this in fact was a new world record; but there is no proof of that happening online, excluding their own website. Only a Croatian mine has a record for having the first and lowest below surface hot air balloon trip.

Besides bungee jump, sports that have occurred in the mine range from soccer games to windsurfing upon the subterranean lake; they didn't happen during the times the mine was still operating. Today, anyone can rent certain areas for weddings, formal dinners, and concerts.

8. Four chapels exist in the mine

As you may already realize, conditions inside the mine itself were not always ideal.  Despite that, the miners built four chapels for praying. Since Princess Kinga from the 13th century happens to be the mine's saint and patron, the magnificent St. Kinga’s Chapel was made in dedication to her, honoring her with a big salt statue. Also, here you could admire many chandeliers hanging with strings of rock salt crystals.

9. Horses brought into the mine to help never left

This next fact may prove difficult to digest. Horses were commonly used for turning the “horse treadmills," which are pulley contraptions that horses turn winches for raising and lowering baskets. To bring the horses there, a harness was strapped to lower them, no doubt a frightening experience for any horse. But the harshest fact is that this was a one-way trip, for nobody wanted to go through all the trouble of lifting the horse out of there. But thanks to the salt's preserving power, now treadmills could still be operated.

10. Majority of table salt in fact is rock salt coming from mines

While sea salt is generally called just that, table salt is actually rock salt and nearly always originates from mines. For example, Himalayan salt is only rock salt, not from the Himalayas but from Pakistan. Because the salt is natural, there’s no potential harm if you lick the walls.

11. Home to a private rehabilitation and wellness complex underground 

You'll discover in the mine's lower levels a wellness center. For only $40 a night, visitors could spend time underground enjoying the world's cleanest air. 

Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in Poland