Visit this Awesome Temple in Bali: Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
GOA GAJAH a.k.a. The Elephant cave
On the road from Ubud to Teges you will find Goa Gajah, which is also known as “the Elephant Cave’. If you are staying in Ubud then this temple is easily reached even by bicycle.
Souvenir stands and bus stands will show you, you are in the right place. And you enter the premise by walking up a steep stairs.
The temple is estimated to be over 900 years old (11th century) as it was described in a Javanese poem from around that time. Although it hasn’t been discovered until 1923 as big layer of volcanic ashes and mud blocked the main entrance of the cave.
You enter the cave through -as you can see above- what looks like some kind of demon.
As you enter the rather small cave, you reach a T-junction. On the left hand side you will a statue of Ganesha. In this region of Bali it is believed that kings and marters used to come and worship and pray at this shrine.
On the right hand side you will find a worship area for the Shiva, with one statue of the Buddhist Goddess Hariti. Hariti’s story is that she used to be a bloodthirsty child-eating carnivore, until she converted to Buddhism and become the protector of children.
Opposite the cave later diggings have resulted in finding a 11th Century bathing pools that hosts 7 fountains shaped like nymphs, that represent India’s 7 largest rivers.
The property isn’t very large, but do take your time to look around as there are lots of beautiful things to see; like the beautiful river valley, rock carving, remains of ancient temples, waterfalls and another small cave in the courtyard.
There is a small entrance fee: adults 15.000rp and children 7.500rp.
