International Webinar 2022 - Get to know the beauty of diverse cultures between countries – Part 24

Indonesian academics explain about the Tanah Lot tour in Bali in an international webinar. Tanah Lot Temple is one of the most sacred temples (Places of Worship of Hindus) in Bali, Indonesia. Here there are two temples located on a large rock. One is located on top of a rock and the other is located on a cliff similar to the Uluwatu Temple. Tanah Lot Temple is part of the Dang Kahyangan temple. Tanah Lot Temple is a sea temple where the gods of the sea guard are worshiped. Tanah Lot is known as a beautiful place to watch the sunset.


The history of the Tanah Lot Bali Temple in Indonesia based on legend, is told that in the 15th century, Bhagawan Dang Hyang Nirartha, also known as Dang Hyang Dwijendra, carried out a mission to spread Hinduism from the island of Java to the island of Bali. At that time the ruling on the island of Bali was King Dalem Waturenggong. He very much welcomed the arrival of Dang Hyang Nirartha in carrying out his mission, so that the spread of Hinduism succeeded in reaching remote villages on the island of Bali.


In the history of Tanah Lot, it is told that Dang Hyang Nirartha saw a holy light coming from the south sea of Bali, so Dang Hyang Nirartha looked for the location of the light and arrived at a beach in a village called Beraban village, Tabanan. At that time the village of Beraban was led by Bendesa Beraban Sakti, who strongly opposed the teachings of Dang Hyang Nirartha in spreading Hinduism. Bendesa Beraban Sakti, adheres to monotheism. Dang Hyang Nirartha meditated on a rock that resembled the shape of a parrot that was originally on land. In various ways Bendesa Beraban wanted to expel Dang Hyang Nirartha from his meditation place.


According to the history of Tanah Lot, based on the legend of Dang Hyang Nirartha, he moved the rock (where he meditated) to the middle of the beach with spiritual power. The rock is named Tanah Lot which means a rock in the middle of the ocean. Since that incident Bendesa Beraban Sakti acknowledged the supernatural powers possessed by Dang Hyang Nirartha by becoming his followers to embrace Hinduism along with all the local residents.


It is told in the history of Tanah Lot, before leaving the village of Beraban, Dang Hyang Nirartha gave a keris to the village of Beraban. The keris has the power to eliminate all diseases that attack plants. The keris is kept at Puri Kediri and a religious ceremony is made at Tanah Lot Temple every six months. Since this is routinely carried out by the Beraban villagers, the welfare of the people has greatly increased with abundant agricultural crops and they live in mutual respect.


The above material was presented by presenters from Indonesia in an international webinar held by STEKOM University in collaboration with Universities from Mexico, Ukraine, Ethiopia and various other parties. The presenter's name is Ahmad Zaenuri, M.Si who is a lecturer and head of the entrepreneurship study program at STEKOM University. The title of the presentation he delivered was "Introduce the culture, culinary, tourist attractions of Indonesia as a nation's economic asset".


This international webinar activity is part of the implementation of STEKOM University's commitment to increase various international activities. This was done in order to realize the vision to become an international-class university. Various international activities carried out by STEKOM University continue from year to year. There are international activities that are sustainable and there are also some international activities that are not sustainable. All types of international activities are accommodated and regulated by the International department of STEKOM University.