After visiting Gunung Kawi, our next stopover was at Pura Goa Gajah, an archaeological heritage site located on the main road Ubud – Kintamani.
The history of Goa Gajah is not known surely and no one knows how old really the site is, but the cave and its surroundings are able to reveal some similarities to the structures that were built in the 11th century.
This cave is built on the brink of a meeting between two small rivers called Kali Pangkung and Petanu River.
The meeting area of two rivers is called Campuhan which is deemed to have a magical power based on concept of Rwabhineda or two differences, thus, Goa Gajah seems to be intentionally built in two rivers.
Goa Gajah Temple boasts stunning sceneries which enable people to enjoy walking over the bridges and along the rivers.
After we purchased the entrance tickets, we walked down quite a numbers of steps to the lower ground of the compound of the temple.
Approaching the front of the cave, guests can appreciate the beauty of the mouth of the cave carved with Balinese style.
At the façade of the cave is a relief of numerous ominous creatures carved right into the rock at the entrance.
These appear to have been built to ward off evil spirits and people away from the cave, or perhaps they represent the passions you need to abandon before entering the sanctuary.
Inside the T-shaped cave you can see disconnected remains of the lingam, the phallic symbol of the Hindu god Shiva, and its female counterpart the yoni, plus a statue of Shiva’s son, the elephant-headed god Ganesha.
A widespread bathing place near the entrance on the site was not unearthed until the 1950s and six of the seven statues that stand guard around these pools are still in place and a number of the relics sturdily indicate that the site has a Buddhist as well as Hindu past.
There are two parts to this temple, the first being the Hindu, partly are the Goa Gajah and the bathing place itself which is on the upper portion of the temple ground.
The second is the Buddhist part which visitors can walked the stairs down to the Buddhist area of the temple grounds.
There was a statue which collapsed during one of the earthquakes, rebuilt and collapsed again. The remains are still there lying in a pool of water beneath a spring.
There is a huge ‘rain forest’ tree with the scrawled roots which made it so unique and natural beauty.
There was a guide gave us some explanation of the both temples and showed us around the temple grounds.
We were lucky as we were giving tips in Ringgit Malaysia as we were ran out of Rupiah – RM50.00.
It was such a great morning which we have for visiting 3 great temples.
I love Bali temples, in the sense of all of their temples were built within the beautiful greenery natures, be it surrounded by the sea, or in the forests, even next to the river.
It gave me a peaceful feeling and always reminds me of the Lord’s tender mercies and love towards me, whenever I see the beautiful nature which He had given to us!
And yes! You would want to live a harmony and peaceful life, whenever you are thinking of God’s love.
I think this is how the Balinese always have a cheerful happy and smiles on their face.
Even they are may be sometimes too superstitious in my opinion, but that is how they appreciate and celebrate their lives by always keep their God in their hearts and living.
After our 3rd temple visit, we headed to Denpansar to check in our hotel.
We stopped by a local eatery shop and have our lunch. We had the normal Nasi Campur and it is so delicious! Or may be because we were so hungry.
After our late lunch around 2.30pm, Yandi drove us to Denpansar, it was actually a long journey back to the town.
We arrived at Hawaii Bali Villa at 4.00pm.
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