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Gunung Kawi Temple

Gunung Kawi Temple 1

Located :
Gunung Kawi Temple is located at Tampaksiring village at the cross road to Tirta Empul. From this cross road you go down a small path toward Pakerisan River about a quarter of an hour on foot and you get to Gunung Kawi. 34 km from Denpasar

Descriptions :
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. A solitary Candi stands about a kilometer further down the valley to the south; this is reached by a trek through the rice paddies on the western side of the river.

Each Candi is believed to be a memorial to a member of the 11th-century Balinese royalty, but little is known for certain. Legends relate that the whole group of memorials was carved out of the rock face in one hard-working night by the mighty fingernails of Kebo Iwa. One theory is that the whole complex is dedicated to Anak Wungsu, his wives, concubines and, in the case of the remote 10th Candi, to a royal minister.

How to get to Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring :
1. 1 hour from Sanur
2. 1.5 hours from Kuta
3. 30 minutes from Ubud

What you can see arround Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring :
1. Gunung Kawi Sebatu, this 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.
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.

Gunung Kawi Temple 2