- According from wikipedia, Goa Gajah is an artificial cave that functions like a place of worship. This cave is located in Bedulu Village, Blahbatu District, Gianyar Regency, Bali. Located approximately 27 km from Denpasar. UNESCO recorded this cave as a world heritage in a tentative list (awaiting certainty) on October 19, 1995 in the field of culture.
What’s There?
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| Image Credit : lillagreen.at/goa-gajah-temple |
Goa Gajah dates back to the 11th century, built as a spiritual place for meditation. The main grounds are down a flight of steps from the roadside and parking area, which is lined with various art and souvenir shops and refreshment kiosks. Upon reaching the base you will come across a large ‘wantilan’ meeting hall and an assortment of large old stone carvings, some restored to their former full glory. The pool, excavated in 1954, features five out of supposedly seven statues depicting Hindu angels holding vases that act as waterspouts. Various structures reveal Hindu influences dating back to the 10th century, and some relics feature elements of Buddhism dating even earlier to the 8th century. The cave is shallow; inside are three stone idols each wrapped in red, yellow and black cloths. Black soot lines the cave’s walls as result from the current-day incense burning. Several indentations show where meditating priests once sat. The northern side of the complex is dominantly Buddhist while south across the river it’s mostly Shivaite. At the southern end are beautiful rice fields and small streams that lead to the Petanu River – another natural site entwined in local legends. Goa Gajah was built on a hillside and as two small streams met here forming a campuhan or ‘river junction’, the site was considered sacred and was built for hermetic meditation and prayers.
In the Lontar Negarakertagama book compiled by Mpu Prapanca in 1365 AD, Lwa Gajah (Lwa or Lwah / Loh) literature was provided which means elephant river. The river is located in front of the temple which is now known as Sungai Petanu.
What’s in the name?
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| Image Credit : id.wikipedia.com/@goa gajah |
Even though the site’s name translates into ‘Elephant Cave’, you won’t find any pachyderms here. Various theories suggest the origin of the name, such as back in time the Petanu River was originally called ‘Lwa Gajah’, meaning the ‘River Gajah’, before it came to be called Petanu River. Other sources state that the ‘Gajah’ or elephant aspect came from the stone figure inside the cave depicting the Hindu lord Ganesh, who is characterised by an elephant’s head. Ancient inscriptions also allude to the name Antakunjarapada, which roughly translates to ‘elephant’s border’. The cave’s entrance shows a menacing giant face with its wide open mouth as the door. Various motifs depicting the forest and animals are carved out of the outer rock face. The giant face was considered to be that of an elephant’s.
Historical
The discovery of Goa Gajah originated from reports of officials of the Dutch East Indies, LC. Heyting in 1923 who discovered the statues of Ganesha, Trilingga and the Hariti statue to the Dutch East Indies government. This was followed up by Dr. WF. Stuterhiem to conduct further research in 1925. In 1950 the Indonesian Antiquities Service through sections of ancient buildings in Bali led by JL Krijgman conducted research and excavation in 1954 until 1979 and found an ancient petiraan with 6 female statues with showers water in the chest and until now its existence can be trusted to provide a vibration of purifying the aura for visitors.
In 1931 Mr. Conrat Spies also found a significant increase in the "tukad pangkung" complex in the form of a three-pronged stupa carved on a collapsed stone wall lying on the base of the tukad pangkung.
When best time to visit ?
The complex is open daily 08:00 - 16.00. As with any temple in Bali, women during their periods are forbidden entrance and wearing a sarong and waist sash is a must. These are available for rent at the entrance. Goa Gajah temple celebrates its 'piodalan' temple anniversary on an 'Anggara Kasih Prangbakat' Tuesday on the Balinese 210-day Pawukon calendar, corresponding to different dates on the Gregorian calendar each year (consult a local). Entry tickets are 15,000 rupiah for adults and 7,500 for children.
Saa Tips to Vacation to Goa Gajah:
- Choose the right time, namely in the morning because the air is still fresh and the sun is not too hot.
- Do not throw trash carelessly and never do any vandalism in this location, because this place is still a sacred area so keep politeness.
- This tourist attraction can be an alternative choice when other temple tours are filled with visitors.
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