GOA GAJAH TEMPLE

Goa Gajah Temple is located in Bedulu Village, Blahbatuh District and about 5 km from Ubud. Goa Gajah mean Elephant Cave ( Goa = Cave, Gajah = Elephant ). Elephant Cave or Goa Gajah Temple is one of region most famous tourist sight, as well as one of its most significant historical markers. in addition to the caves hand tunneled through the face of the mountain, the complex above the petanu river include temple, statue, pavilion, and bathing pools.

The cave is carved into a rock face and you enter throught the cavernous mouth of a demon, the gigantic fingertips pressed beside the face of the demon push back a riotous jungle of surrounding stone carving. the cave is shapped in a ” T ” letter, the foot of the ” T ” is entrance leading to the inner part of cave. along the inside wall of the cave are fifteen niches excavated on it. the niches were formerly use for sleeping and has meditation place by the monks. the two niches at the both edges of the cave are provided with the image of Ganeca and Trilinggas, each linggals is surrounded by smaller linggas. The phallic symbol of the Hindu God Shiva.

In the courtyard in the front of the cave are two square bathing pool with water gushing into them from waterspouts held by six fimale figures. to the left of the cave entrance, in a small pavilion is a statue of Hariti, surrounded by children. the origin of the cave are uncertain, one tale relates that it was created by the mighty fingernails of the legendary giant Kebo Iwa. Originally the name of Goa Gajah is derived from Lwa Gajah, the former name of the river near the cave, the recent name being Petanu River.  Goa Gajah Temple is one of favorite Bali Tours direction

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