Goa Gajah Ubud, Central Bali

Goa Gajah Ubud, Central Bali 

Goa Gajah ‘Elephant Cave’ is an archaeological site of significant historical value that makes it a special place to visit. Located on the cool western edge of Bedulu Village, six kilometres out of central Ubud. Goa Gajah dates back to the 11th century, built as a spiritual place for meditation. 

The pool, excavated in 1954, features five out of supposedly seven statues depicting Hindu angels holding vases that act as waterspouts. Various structures reveal Hindu influences dating back to the 10th century, and some relics feature elements of Buddhism dating even earlier to the 8th century. The cave is shallow; inside are three stone idols each wrapped in red, yellow and black cloths. Black soot lines the cave’s walls as result from the current-day incense burning. Several indentations show where meditating priests once sat. The northern side of the complex is dominantly Buddhist while south across the river it’s mostly Shivaite. At the southern end are beautiful rice fields and small streams that lead to the Petanu River – another natural site entwined in local legends. Goa Gajah was built on a hillside and as two small streams met here forming a campuhan or ‘river junction’, the site was considered sacred and was built for hermetic meditation and prayers.

Various theories suggest the origin of the name, such as back in time the Petanu River was originally called ‘Lwa Gajah’, meaning the ‘River Gajah’, before it came to be called Petanu River. Other sources state that the ‘Gajah’ or elephant aspect came from the stone figure inside the cave depicting the Hindu lord Ganesh, who is characterised by an elephant’s head. Ancient inscriptions also allude to the name Antakunjarapada, which roughly translates to ‘elephant’s border’. 

The complex is open daily 08:00 - 16.00. As with any temple in Bali, women during their periods are forbidden entrance and wearing a sarong and waist sash is a must. These are available for rent at the entrance. Goa Gajah temple celebrates its 'piodalan' temple anniversary on an 'Anggara Kasih Prangbakat' Tuesday on the Balinese 210-day Pawukon calendar, corresponding to different dates on the Gregorian calendar each year (consult a local). 

Goa Gajah Opening Hours: Mon – Sun, 08:00 - 16.00 Location: Bedulu Village, Jalan Raya Goa Gajah, Blahbatuh, Gianyar How to get there: Go east from Ubud approximately 3km towards Jalan Raya Goa Gajah

Pics: https://traveltriangle.com/blog/temples-in-bedulu-bali-bdp/

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Goa Gajah Ubud, Central Bali   

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Exotis Lempuyang Temple, Karangasem, Bali.

Exotis Gate at Lempuyang temple, Karangasem, Bali.

Lempuyang Temple Bali is also called ‘The Temple of Thousand Steps’.
The Temple is located at the summit of Belibis Hill (Mount Lempuyang), northeast of Mount Agung, Abang District, Karangasem Regency , Bali , Indonesia.

The Temple of Thousand Steps

Pura Luhur Lempuyang in Karangasem, Bali  is one of the nine directional temples in Bali. It is also known as the "Temple of thousand steps", it is called Temple of thousand steps because to reach the main temple area, visitors must climb about 1700 steps. 

 

Pura Luhur lempuyang

The word Lempuyang is derived from 2 words "Lampu" which means light and "Hyang" which means God therefore the meaning of Lempuyang is Light of God. Pura Luhur lempuyang is located in the northeast of mount Agung, Abang District, Karangasem Regency, approximately 2.5 hours from Denpasar City. 

Exotis Lempuyang Temple

The temple is situated 1.058 meters above sea level and the atmosphere could be cool and humid according to the season. It is not sure when the temple was built, according to the history, when the earth was only 70 years old, Bali was often hit by disasters. 

Exotis View From Gate of Lempuyang Temple

The God Pacupati who resides in Mount Sumeru saw the bad condition and sent his 3 children Hyang Gni Jaya, Hyang Putra Jaya and Dewi Danu to stabilize the island of Bali. Each of them were commanded to reside in different places, Hyang Gni Jaya was told to reside Lempuyang Luhur temple. 

Lempuyang Temple is a sacred temple and many Balinese Hindu come to this temple to pray and worship God and Its manifest. People make a pilgrimage at this temple is to obtain the sacred holy water by cutting a yellow bamboo plant which grows in the shrub in the inner courtyard of the temple.

In Bali's have 9 key directional temples are:

- Purah Besakih (Mother Temple), 

- Pura Lempuyang (Lempuyang Temple), 

- Pura Luhur Batukaru (Batukaru Temple), 

- Pura Luhur Uluwatu (Uluwatu Temple), 

- Pura Ulun Danu Batur (Batur Temple),
- Pura Goa Lawah (Bat Cave Temple),
- Pura Andakasa (Andakasa Temple),
- Pura Puncak Mangu (Puncak Mangu Temple),
- Pura Pusering Jagat (Pusering Jagat Temple),

Reference:
http://www.bali-indonesia.com/magazine/bali-must-see-temples.htm
http://www.travellingbali.com/bali/things-to-do-and-see-in-bali-sightseeing-bali/bali-lempuyang-temple-bali-pura-luhur-lempuyang-bali-temples-things-to-do-and-see-in-bali
http://parsiyani.blogspot.co.id/2016/08/lempuyang-temple-karangasem-bali.html