Goa Gajah, Bedulu

History : "Gua Gajah (Elephant Cave) is located in west side of Bedulu countryside, Blah Batuh Sub district and Gianyar Regency. It is about 27 km from Denpasar town. This cave is built at crevasse edge from the federation of 2 rills that is called Pangkung River , where the irrigation is mixed with Petanu River flow. The federation area of two rivers is called Campuhan/Mixture. It owns the magical energy on the basis of Rwabineda Concept/two different matters on this basic concept hence Gua Gajah (Elephant Cave) is intentionally built among two rivers.

The word of Gua Gajah is anticipated coming from the word of Lwa Gajah, the name of Buddhist Temple or hermitage for Buddhist monk. The Gua Gajah's name is written on Negarakeertagama papyrus which is compiled by Mpu Prapanca on 1365 M. Lwa or Lwah/loh mean the river and it reflect to the meaning that the hermitage is located at Gajah River or in Air Gajah. In the year inscription 944 Saka, it is mentioned with the name of ‘ser ring Air Gajah' that is meaning the Subak leader in Air Gajah. The word has mentioned that the hermitage of Lwa Gajah is located in Subak Air Gajah. " Source from here

Goa Gajah Temple or Elephant Cave is a temple full of historical significance. At the entrance where the signage to welcome visitors and tourist. For tourists who would like to visit are required to wear a scarf  or sarong because other than functioning as archaeological attractions, this temple also poses a sacred place or sanctum. Sarongs and scarves are available at the location

Signage at the entrance of the temple

  From the stairs leading to the place of the Goa Gajah where the situated, the panaroma view

Overview from the staircase down to visit this place

The entrance to the elephant cave, which is carved into a sheer rock face lies in the northern part of the temple in the shape of  the letter ”T”. Inside this cave there is a Ganesha statue considered as the god of sciences. More info here

Goa Gajah

 This is one of the old omission that can be found at Gua Gajah - Bathing Shower or bathing pond ( Situated in front of the cave for followers to cleanse and purify themselves). Now, they are used as a holy water for ceremonies. The fountain in the middle of the pond has yet to be found till now.

Part of the Bathing Showers

Bathing Shower fed by 3 fountain

The area that separates the 3 bathing showers

Another angle of the bathing shower

The courtyard in front of the bathing shower

A prayer altar near the Goa Gajah

 In the temple, there is a beautifully maintained garden with a small pond with lotus.

The lotus pond in the garden

A unique bare tree with beautiful roots near the garden..

path leading towards the garden

 There are also paddy fields in the surrounding areas of the temple.

Closeup shot of rice

Some of the historical pagodas and buildings left by believers in the vicinity of the Goa Gajah Entrance

Damage :
Entrance Fees : Rp15,000 / pax

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