Elephant Cave Temple is located at the Blahbatuh Village in Gianyar, Bali. It is about 27 km from Denpasar. This cave is built at the crevasse edge from the encounter of 2 rills that is called Pangkung river, where the irrigation is mixed with Petanu river flow.
The encounter area of two rivers is called Campuhan. It owns the magical energy on the basis of Rwabineda Concept (two different energy). On this basic concept hence Elephant Cave is intentionally built among two rivers.
The word Goa Gajah is from the word of Lwa Gajah, the name of the Buddhist Temple or hermitage for Buddhist monk. The Goa Gajah name is written on Negarakertagama papyrus which is compiled by Mpu Prapanca on 1365 M. Lwa means 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.
There is a relief which is almost looking like the form of mountain on the entrance of this cave. It was carved many designed on the relief like grove with the stick, close leaf, animal for example forest pig, tortoise, and specters. The cave mouth is decorated by the bas-relief with the eye turn around to the right or west side. There is an article letter of Kediri type from the early of 11 century was written on the wall left side or east side.
There is a pool as a place to take the holy water (Tirtha) for Hindu ceremony which is located in the middle of the cave courtyard. This Holy Pool is previously piled up by land and it has been found on 1954 by Krijgsman from the Ancient Department. The Holy Pool is equipped by the statue douche which is parallel arranged in two groups.
If you interested to visit this temple, as well as the other temples around Ubud area, you can book our full day tour for approximately 8 to 10 hours trip – only for $45. To book the tour you can just simply fill the below booking form.