Elephant Cave

The cave was only known by the locals until 1923, when a young Dutch found the place after hearing some conversation about a monster head with elephant ears. Goa Gajah, or “Elephant Cave” is located about 20 minutes south/east of Ubud, and about an hour north of Kuta.

The temple was built in the 11th century, and sits on a bottom of a hill side, about 50ft below the main entrance. The cave, with its beautiful carvings on its outer face, strectches back into the hillside forming a T-shape. Inside you can find charming art works such as Shivite and Buddhist statues, that sit in little cubbyholes carved into the caves walls.

Three of the statues in the old bathing pools.The cave is manmade and has the shape of a T, it is two meters high and one meter wide. It contain 15 niches which is regarded as proof that this was not a temple. At the end of the left wing there is a one meter tall, four armed statue of the elephant god Ganesh, at the end of the right wing there is three half meter tall “linga”, fertility symbols of the Hindu God Shiva. On the walls there are some old-Javanese writings which has helped to establish the time of origin of the cave.

The bathing place in front of the cave was not discovered before 1954. It then became apparent that the whole complex has been an important religious site in old Bali.

Entrance into the temple is 3,100 Rp, and Sarongs are recommended. Guides are available at the bottom of the steps, but remember to agree upon a price, before excepting their tour. Dont be surprised if they give you a tour first, and then suddently ask you for a donation. It always feels rude or strange to ask someone how much they are going to charge, but it saves you from a more akward situation at the end.

How to get there
Goa Gajah can be difficult to find on your own, from south you drive towards Gianyar, by the “baby monument” after Batuan you continue straight ahead towards Ubud, then turn right at Teges towards Bedulu. The site is on the right side two kilometers before the Bedulu village. You know you’re there when you see the large parking lot and the many souvenir stalls. From Goa Gajah it is possible to take a walk through the rice fields in Bedulu and to Yeh Pulu, it is recommended that you pay one of the local kids to guide you.