Our second destination – Gunung Kawi is not far away from Pura Tirta Empul as both also in the small village of Tampaksiring.
It is about 18km northeast of Ubud lies the Pakerisan Valley, a lush area also known as the "Valley of Kings".
It is here in this valley that the impressive pre-Hindu site of Gunung Kawi which spreads across either side of the Pakerisan River. This ancient temple complex dates back to the 11th century and it really is like taking a step back in time.
Yandi drove the car to a small parking area for Gunung Kawi.
After we went down from the car, we saw there are several local stalls and small shops here selling the usual Balinese souvenirs like wood carvings, paintings and sarongs.
From the entrance to Gunung Kawi it's a rather steep climb down some 270 steps to reach the actual site itself.
Luckily the pathway leads past some stunning scenery, and taking a break overlooking terraced rice fields is almost worth the trip alone.
We do like the rice terrace so much! It is just like next to us, and I like the rice terrace here more than the one we saw at Tegallalang.
The stairway continues to lead down to the river and at one point cuts through an embankment of solid rock.
The main attraction at Gunung Kawi are the 10 candi or shrines that are cut out of the rock face.
The term candi refers to the abode of Candika, Goddess of Death, and companion of Lord Siva.
The rock-carved candis are unique to Bali and are unknown elsewhere in the world, making Gunung Kawi a particularly special place to visit.
It is also interesting to note that contrary to what is often believed, candis are not tombs as they have never contained human remains or ashes.
Each statue stands in an 8m high sheltered recess cut into the cliff face, almost resembling a doorway.
The candis of Gunung Kawi are believed to be constructed in the 11th century (1080 AD) by king Anak Wungsu in honor of his father, the great Balinese ruler Udayana.
Legend has it that the monuments were carved out of the rock face in just one night by the mighty Kebo Iwa, a mythical giant who possessed supernatural strength.
The holy Pakersian River flows through the centre of Gunung Kawi cutting the site into two separate sections with a bridge to connect one side to the other.
Four smaller candis can be found on one side of the river, five larger candis are located on the other side, and there's also a remote tenth candi set further back from the others that few visitors know about.
I only knew it after we comeback from Bali that there is another 10th.
Behind the small temple you can find several meditation caves, where monks and pilgrims came together to meditate.
We did go in and see the caves as it is a bit creepy when only Daddy and myself were there. We were allowed to go into the temple and have a closer look as well.
At the back of the temple, there is a place where women and men are preparing the food or feast during the big ceremony being held in the temple.
In Balinese Hinduism, water that has passed over a candi (or shrines) is transformed into holy water, therefore making the water from the Pakrisan River very special indeed.
I can feel the place itself is so sacred for the villagers, and may be it is because it is at the high mountain place and secluded surrounded by the forest around, made this place really serene and peace, with the sounds of the river flowing through both side of the hill.
We felt that it is a good choice that we managed to come and visit this Gunung Kawi, seeing the candi itself is a great thing as we are amazed how these candis being carved out from the surface of the rocks.
No comments:
Post a Comment