Goa Gajah | Bali Elephant Cave

Goa Gajah or Bali Elephant Cave, a Bali Heritage Site Recommended as a Place to Visit

Goa Gajah (Bali Elephant Cave) is a Bali heritage site in west side of Bedulu countryside, Blah Batuh Sub district and Gianyar Regency. Furthermore, it is about 27 km from Denpasar town. This cave is built at crevasse edge from the federation of 2 rills and 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 (Bali Elephant Cave) is intentionally built among two rivers.

Goa Gajah or Bali Elephant Cave – Bali Heritage Site

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The word of Goa Gajah come from the word of Lwa Gajah, the name of Buddhist Temple or hermitage for Buddhist monk. Meanwhile, Mpu Prapanca had written the name of Goa Gajah on Negarakeertagama papyrus in 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 has 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 existing in Subak Air Gajah.

What to see at Goa Gajah as Bali Heritage Site?

There is a relief almost looking like the form of mountain on the entrance of this Bali Elephant Cave. There are many design on the relief like grove with the stick, close leaf, animal for example forest pig, tortoise and specters. The bas-relief decorates the mount of cave with the eye turn around to the right or west side. There is an article letter of Kediri type from the early of 11 century on the wall. We can see that on the left side or east side.

There is a pool (Patirthaan) as a place to take the holy Tirtha water for Hindu ceremony. The pool location in the middle of the cave courtyard. The land has piled this Holy Pool previously and Krijgsman from the Ancient Department successfully found it in 1954. The There are several statue douches in this Holy pool and parallel in two groups.

Tourist Destinations Close with Goa Gajah

The government has appointed it as tourist destination. Hence, many tourist visit Goa Gajah everyday. Moreover, this Bali heritage site location on the main road from Ubud to Kintamani. Kintamani Volcano Tour is one of the famous land tour in Bali usually put this tourist destination on the tour itinerary. Meanwhile, the public public facilities like toilet, parking area and souvenir shops available.