Goa Lawah Temple at Klungkung Bali
Goa Lawah means ‘bat cave‘ Goa lawah temple is a famous tourist attraction, as well as a place of religious importance to the Balinese people. The temple was founded in 1007, by Empu Kuturan. Though the temple is small, it is considered very auspicious and is one of the 9 kayangan jagat (directional temples).
Goa Lawah temple located near of hilly bank so it is called reef of Middle hill. This cave is located in Pasinggahan countryside, Dawan sub district, Klungkung Regency, east part of Bali and about 1,5 hours from Denpasar Town. There is a nature cave dwelt by thousands of tail bat located at north side from Jeroan/center of Gua Lawah Temple . Meanwhile the main road from Klungkung to Amlapura is just in front of the temple. This cave is apposite to the beautiful beach with black sand along the coastal area.
Goa Lawah temple is old temple said that Saint Mpu Kuturan built in 1007. However, this temple did not have a name then. High priest Danhyang Nirartha was going to the east part of Bali through the coast in 1489.
And, he took a rest in this temple where a beautiful coastline was looked at. He will stay at this temple, and started meditating because the evening. The meditation end, When he was about to leave for Gel Gel district, the cave was in the presence. However, the cave did not exist the day before. Surprised villagers entreated to high priest Nirartha, “We want you stay in this village until the cave temple was built here”.
And, the temple was built safety, and named “Pura Goa Lawah”. “Goa” means “Cave”, and “Lawah” means “Bat” in an Indonesian language. Several thousand bats are flying about in the cave as its name suggests. It is very strange atmosphere. There is a legend that this cave continues to Pura Besakih. Everything from Pura Goa Lawah to Pura Besakih is away to the north by about much as 2,200 yards.
Function of Goa Lawah Temple :
- Based on Papyrus of Kusuma Dewa, it is Giha Lawah, a palace from Basuki god
- Based on Papyrus of Padma Bhuwana is explaining that in accordance to holy letter title Pentameter Aksara
- The structure of Gua Lawah Temple building is based on the temple building from Ista Dewata in particular of Padmasana which is located in front of Siwa Cave as power of entire universe potency
- Based on Lontar Babad Dalem is implying that Gua Lawah Temple as a good place to execute the Tirtha Yatra or Nyegara Gunung (meditation), because in this place there are nature potency of solidarity that is mount, the sea, goad an watu or petrify.
Total shrines and pavilions are 25 units showing mixed worship between ancestor’s worship and Hindu gods. Ritual is a ceremony performed every 6 month based on Hindu-Java calendar. Fixed date of the ceremony can be read in Balinese calendar which is already printed on November for the next year.
For day or half day tour bookings to the Place please contact Ketut Maryana at DriversBali.com
Phone/WhatsApp: +62 81 2397 7705 (Mr. Ketut Maryana)
Website: https://www.driversbali.com
