Created in the 9th century as a sanctuary, the Elephant Cave can be found on the outskirts of Ubud and is a popular hiking destination. This enchanting cave has long captured the imagination of visitors and inspired the famous Javanese poem Desawarnana, written in 1365.
One of the most impressive features of the Elephant Cave is the relief at the entrance, carved with menacing looking demons and believed to have been created in order to ward off evil spirits. The largest and most impressive of these figures resembles an elephant, and it is from this that the cave takes its name.
Much of the excavation work was carried out here in the 1950s and revealed a large bathing place, as well as a number of meditation chambers and other special rooms. Particularly of note are the phallus and vagina statues known as lingam and yoni, which can be seen at strategic points throughout the cave. It is believed the site was used for both Buddhist and Hindu religious practices, and it has now been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Elephant Cave, also known locally as Goa Gajah, can be found just two kilometers from the village of Bedulu, a good place to visit while exploring the area. A number of tour companies in Ubud offer tours of the Elephant Cave as part of their itinerary, and this is an excellent way to explore the area and get a feel for the local culture.
The name Goa Gajah was originally Buddhist and means the temple of monks. This name was found written on the Negarakeetagama Papyrus, compiled in 1365 and denotes that Goa Gajah served as a hermitage where a dedicated monk lived in order to follow the Buddhist path.
Need to Know
- What is it? a 9th century cave sanctuary
- Opening hours: 08:00 to 16:00, daily
- Entrance fees: RP 6,000
- Where: Central Bali in Indonesia
- How to get there: hike or take a taxi from Ubud (10-30 minutes)