Goa Gajah

Goa Gajah, literally means Elephant Cave, is a mysterious site located not very far from central Bali in Gianyar. That is a cave shaped in the form of the letter 'T'. The entrance of Bali's Goa Gajah beautifully exhibits depiction of animals, entangling leaves, waves of the ocean and rocks. The monstrous Kala head or the demonic human shaped head depicts as if it split opens the rock with its hands at its entrance. The interiors of the cave are exquisitely and extensively decorated with shrines. An elephant statue also stands inside the Goa Gajah cave.

Goa Gajah was a monastery for the Buddhist and Hindu monks in the ancient times. The monks used to meditate in these caves. The complex also features two stone bathing pools that are quite deep and fed by water spouts held by 6 female figures of nymphs or goddesses. A clamber that lies below the rocks and rice terraces, fifty meters behind the cave leads to scatters and fragmentation of a fallen cliff face with 2 Buddha statues of the ancient times.

Location:
near Ubud, Gianyar regency
24 km north-east of Denpasar

Attractions:
mysterious cave
bathing pool

Nearby destinations:
Pura Penataran (temple)
Pura Tebing Kalembutan (temple)
Pura Penataran Sasih (temple)
Pura Pusering Jagad (temple)
Pura Kebo Edan (temple)
Archaeological Museum
Pura Arjuna Metapa (temple)
Wana Wanara Ubud (monkey forest)
Tirta Empul (bathing place)