Goa Gajah ( elephant cave )
Gua or Goa Gajah (Elephant
Cave), gua or goa are same meaning, the meaning is cave, which is
located in west side of Bedulu countryside, Blah Batuh Sub district
and Gianyar Regency. It is about 27 km from Denpasar city. This
cave is built at crevasse edge from the federation of 2 rills that
is called Pangkung River , where the irrigation is mixed with Petanu
River flow. The federation area of two rivers is called Campuhan/Mixture.
It owns the magical energy on the basis of Rwabineda Concept/two
different matters on this basic concept hence Gua Gajah (Elephant
Cave) is intentionally built among two rivers.
Gua Gajah in Story
The word of Gua Gajah is anticipated coming from the word of Lwa
Gajah, the name of Buddhist Temple or hermitage for Buddhist monk.
The Gua Gajah's name is written on Negarakeertagama 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.
What to see
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
(Patirthaan) as a place to take the holy Tirtha water 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.
Elephant cave or goa gajah, for further information:
contact us.
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