Located :
Gunung Kawi Sebatu temple located around 40 kilometers from the main city Denpasar. Here is one of Bali’s prettiest temples called Gunung Kawi Temple (not confused with Gunung Kawi rocky temple in Tampaksiring).
Descriptions :
Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple was built in homage to the God of Preserver (Wisnu), who rules over water, and here one finds a number of natural spring and waterspouts. The Balinese believe that water is one of the forces of life. The etymology of Gunung Kawi means a fabricated mountain. It lies west of Sebatu village, which is elevated and its name means slipping on a stone. It is said in the times of King Mayadenawa, an evil King who did not believe in the existence of the God, that this area was where he chased with his soldiers by the Gods in a famous battle. At first he battled with the Gods at the great Besakih temple and then came to sebatu via the village of Taro.
Both the soldiers of Mayadenawa as well as the local villagers fled in their fear (the former of the gods, the latter of the evil King) and slipped on stones. Seeing that local people were innocent and sin free, the God Wisnu gave a source of life (holy water). As a way of showing their gratitude, they built this temple to the Wisnu’s God, which has much water, waterspout for bathing as well as a special pool of holy water. A natural spring flows from the heart of the temple into a pool so clear that you can count the scales on the huge goldfish ghosting around the opulent island shrine at its center. Holy water is requested at an adjacent small shrine while nearby, and still within the temple walls, are the open-air public baths. The visitors are welcome to explore the other courtyards where the shrines and pavilions are lovingly maintained by the people of nearby Sebatu
How to get to Gunung Kawi Sebatu :
1. 1 hour from Sanur
2. 1.5 hours from Kuta
3. 30 minutes from Ubud
What you can see around Gunung Kawi Sebatu :
1. Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring, in the bottom of this lush green valley is one of Bali’s oldest and largest ancient monuments. Gunung Kawi consists of 10 rock-cut Candi (shrines): memorials cut out of the rock face in imitation of actual statues. They stand in 7m/23ft-high sheltered niches cut into the sheer cliff face.
2. Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) located two kilometers east of Ubud , this complex overlooks the Petanu river and consists of a SiSwati rock-cut cave, a bathing place, a monks’ chamber, a number of Buddhists rock cut Stupa and statues , and several foundations.
3. Yeh Pulu, the relief is carved on rock, located near Goa Gajah, between rice field and ravine. The site was rediscovered in 1925. In 1949 a simple protection was laid out to avoid water flowing on the surface of the relief. It looks like panel with the size of 25 x 2 meters.
