BALI GOA GAJAH TEMPLE

History of Goa Gajah Temple

As for history, it can be said that Goa Gajah temple was built in the period 10-11 AD, which at that time was the dynasty of the Warmadewa kingdom, while the name Goa Gajah refers to the statue of Ganesha found engraved on the cave wall. In 1923 the elephant cave site was discovered by L.C Heyting who at the time of discovery, he found Archa Ganesha, a statue of Tri Langga and also a statue of Hariti. Furthermore, a follow-up study was carried out by Dr.W.F. Stutterhiem in 1925 and also in 1950 carried out further research by the Indonesian side, namely from the Indonesian archaeological site in 1954 to 1979 which resulted in the discovery of a small pond which is now in front of the mouth of Goa with six statues of women and their showers. The water flowing from the shower is believed by visitors who come there to make their age younger. A very shocking discovery of history, where from this discovery it can be seen that we are familiar with the existence of beliefs in ancient times, while some statues such as Ganesha figures are god figures found in Hinduism long time ago, and the spread of religion had occurred at that time

Meaning Name Goa Gajah

The word of Goa Gajah is anticipated coming from the word of Lwa Gajah, the name of Buddhist Temple or hermitage for Buddhist monk. The Goa Gajah's name is written on Negara Kertagama papyrus which is compiled by Mpu Prapanca on 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 is 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 located in Subak Air Gajah. Among the local residents, the Goa Gajah Temple is better known as Cave Temple, located in the west of Bedahulu Village, Blahbatuh Subdistrict, Gianyar Regency. It is about 27 km east of Denpasar. A visit to this temple can be done easily because it is only a few feet below the highway toward the village of Tampaksiring Indeed this temple was built at the valley of Petanu River having beautiful natural panorama.

Relic Budha Statue

In addition to lightning and caves, at the Goa Gajah site there are also ancient relics on the ruins of cliffs in the southeast which are identified as the Tukad Pangkung complex. To make it easier for visitors to this complex, concrete stairs and a bridge across the Tukad Pangkung have been made. From the bridge a ladder was made to reach a fragment of the Buddha statue which is located on a higher cliff. Before crossing the bridge there is a staircase to view other carved fragments and a hermitage alcove. The overall structure of Goa Gajah temple is different from other temples in Bali, which generally consist of Jaba or outer courtyard, Jaba Tengah or middle courtyard and Offal or backyard which is the most sacred place in a temple. with a cool atmosphere and make the adventure atmosphere even more religious, it's very fun to visit historical sites and see the relics of two beliefs namely Hindu Shiva and Buddha in one place Based on iconographic studies conducted on the Trilingga statue; Ganesha; Shower Statue; Ganesha statue; and lightning, it can be estimated that Goa Gajah was established in the 11th century AD, namely during the reign of Anak Wungsu. However, if you look at the Buddhist relics found in Goa Gajah, namely the Dyani Buddha Amitaba statue which according to his style shows many similarities with the Dyani Buddha statue at Borobudur temple, namely from the mid-9th century AD, it can be concluded that the possibility of Goa Gajah has been established. long before the reign of Anak Wungsu with its initial embryo as a place of worship for Buddhism and only in the 11th century AD Hinduism helped build a worship complex in this place.

Goa Gajah Temple Geographically

If you visit the elephant cave, it would be nice if you know the layout of this valuable site, and hopefully when you visit there will be no confusion. Goa Gajah is one of the historical sites found where you can see the buildings and relics here that have Hindu and Buddhist nuances, where long ago there were Buddhist monks who inhabited this place and met with Hindu priests, and they exchanged ideas about Buddhist and Hindu teachings, which where now these teachings are at the root of understanding Hindu teachings on the island of Bali

• In the northern part of the temple, lies a carved Cave of Nature in the shape of the letter ”T”, in front of the cave you will see the carvings of with shape of face man carved into the rock in this cave, so beautiful and some of the carvings have been eroded by age.. Inside this cave there is a Ganesha statue considered as the god of sciences which is located at the end of the cave and is sanctified by the local community here. Additionally, at the location can also be encountered some fragments of statues and a Trilangga surrounded by eight small phallus, which is a relic of the Hindu Shiva belief.
• In the cave wall, there are niches of the hermitage and the face of Cave is decorated with carvings depicting a jungle with its contents. Similarly, there is a short inscription which reads ”Kumon” and ”Sahywangsa”, which according to the type of letters it is alleged to originate in the eleventh century AD. Meanwhile in the west of the cave, there is a building retaining a squating statue inside, and the Ganesha as well as Men Brayut statue. The latter in Buddhist mythology is known as Hariti, the savior of children. The relic of the Buddhist faith is so beautiful, just looking at it already makes the heart feel at ease
• In front of the cave, except for the guard statues, there are also fragments of building whose origin was unknown such as the building fragments that now being gathered in the temple’s courtyard located in the west of bathing pond. Fountain statues that have worked again in the holy bathing pond are divided into three parts and in terms of its style, they are probably derived from the eleventh century AD. Unfortunately, the statue fountain located in the middle of the pond, has not been found until now.
  Goa Gajah Temple occur two Buddha statues, one of them is without head while another is still good enough with the style of Central Java. The north side of this statue seemingly stay to stick on the cliffs, where the foot of the cliff temple has long fallen into the creek. On the side of this small can be found three-pronged relief of stupa and the ruins of the cliff temple having beautiful carvings.

Location Goa Gajah Temple

Goa Gajah Temple Dress Code

Based on archeological findings as mentioned above, it can be known the Goa Gajah Temple is derived from the ninth to eleventh centuries AD. In the past, it served as a monastery of Buddhist monk and Shivite priest. This conservatism also shows the unification of Buddhism and Shiva went well. As for visiting the elephant cave, you are expected to dress modestly because you will visit a historical site that is sanctified by the local community, as for sarongs and scarves that will be provided by the officers here, and become a package with the ticket price at this elephant cave. When visiting here, please do not damage this historic site, because this site is very old. An experience that might be very memorable for you, where you can see the acculturation of the influence of Hinduism and Buddhism here, with a very beautiful atmosphere that will make the atmosphere around it very impressive. If you like history and unique things, then this elephant cave tourist destination is worth a visit