The position of a house compound and its surrounding environments are important aspect to be considered when a balinese in tanah lot want to buy a land for a house compound or determining the position or the layout of the house compound. There are some taboos in relation with determining the position of the house compound that based on Asta Kosala Kosali (Balinese Feng Shui) manuscript and widely observed by balinese in tanah lot, Among those taboos the most important are:

It is dangerous to have a house compound that facing a road line, this position is called “tumbak rurung” literally in English means ” speared by the road”. There is a belief that invisible supernatural beings that also use the road and unfortunately they can only move in straight line. Since the position of a “tumbak rurung” house compound is just like blocking the road, than the invisible being can enter the house, and making trouble to inhabitant of the house compound. Balinese who has a house compound in this position usually build a small shrine just in front of the house toward the direction of the road. At and put offering daily on it to appease the incoming invisible beings.

Building a house compound directly on the mountain-ward (direction of the mountain) or east side of a temple or village meeting hall is a taboo. This position is called “ngeluanin”, which contains a meaning to take a position at front of holy building or more senior person, or putting ourselves at higher position.

A house compound which is flanked by roads on both side and there is an empty land on one side of the house is also a dangerous position that is called ” Celedu Nginyah ” literally means sun-bathing scorpion. The negative effect of this position is compromised by erecting a shrine facing the empty land. If there is two houses belong to two blood-related families flank a house of a person who has no blood relation to the families on both side, this position is called “ngapit” and should be avoided. And when a two houses belong to two blood-related families flank a road on both sides, this position is called “negen jalan” or “carrying the road on the shoulder” and should be avoided. These are just a few from many taboos that Balinese should observe when choosing a land for a house compound.