Goa Gajah temple is located just 10 minutes outside of Ubud in Bali and is a significant Hindu archaeological site. It is also known as the Elephant Cave because of its close proximity to the Elephant River. It is a mysterious cave, relics, and an ancient bathing pool set amid the green rice paddies that are nearby Ubud. When you visit this significant site, it welcomes you with a demonic-like mouth that suggests people are entering an underworld as they venture inside through the darkness.
Many people also claim that the entrance demonstrates the Hindu earth god Bhoma while others say that the mouth belongs to the child-eating witch Rangda from Balinese mythology.
So, if you are ready to explore the hidden gems of the island, get your Bali Tour planned and get the best out of it.
This temple dates back to the 11th century. The first time people heard about the Goa Gajah temple or the Elephant Cave was in the Javanese poem Desawarnana which was written in 1365. Goa Gajah in Bali holds significance for both Hindus and Buddhists, it shows the best combination of the two cultures. However, the site also underwent many renovations in the 1950s, revealing more of its historic beauty and importance.
It also includes a cave with rock-wall carvings, a bathing pool, and various ancient structures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and ancient Balinese rituals.
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