Attraction
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
A village-owned forest of about ten hectares at the southern end of central Ubud, home to more than a thousand long-tailed macaques and three 14th-century temples.
Goa Gajah
The Elephant Cave at Bedulu, an 11th-century rock-cut hermitage with a demon-faced entrance, bathing pool and both Hindu and Buddhist carvings, about 6 km south-east of Ubud.
At a glance
- Type
- Archaeological site and cave temple
- Area
- Bedulu, Ubud, Indonesia
Good to know
- Sarongs provided
- Bathing pool
- Stairs to site
Why we recommend it
Goa Gajah, the Elephant Cave, is one of the oldest monuments in Bali and an easy short trip from Ubud. It lies in the village of Bedulu in Blahbatuh district, about 6 km south-east of the town centre. The site is mentioned in the Desawarnana, a Javanese poem written in 1365, and its carving style points to the 11th century, though some accounts place its origins earlier. It was rediscovered by Dutch archaeologists in 1923.
The cave itself is cut into a rock face and entered through the mouth of a huge carved face, a menacing figure probably meant to ward off evil spirits. Inside, a short T-shaped passage leads to niches that once served as cells for ascetic monks. In one niche stands a statue of Ganesha, and in another a stone altar holds a group of three lingams representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The interior is small and often thick with incense smoke. Folklore credits the giant Kebo Iwa with scratching out the cave with his fingernail.
In front of the cave lies a large rectangular bathing pool, uncovered during excavations in 1954. Statues of female figures stand along its edge, pouring water from jugs into the basin, and they are said to represent sacred rivers. Below the main terrace, steps lead down into a ravine where carved stupas and fragments of Buddhist reliefs lie near the stream. This mix of Hindu and Buddhist imagery is one of the most interesting things about the site and shows how the two traditions sat side by side in early Bali.
The site is reached down a long flight of stairs, so allow for the climb back up. It is an active place of worship, and visitors in shorts are given a sarong to wear at the entrance. Allow about an hour to see the cave, the pool and the lower ravine without rushing. Goa Gajah was placed on UNESCO's tentative list in 1995 but was withdrawn in 2015, so it is not a World Heritage Site.
Goa Gajah suits anyone interested in history and archaeology, and the short scale of the site makes it manageable with children. It combines well with nearby Pejeng, where the bronze kettle drum known as the Moon of Pejeng, dating from around 300 BC, is kept, and with the temples of Tampaksiring.
Goa Gajah FAQs
Where is Goa Gajah?
It is in the village of Bedulu in Blahbatuh district, Gianyar, about 6 km south-east of central Ubud.
How old is Goa Gajah?
Its carvings suggest the 11th century, and it is mentioned in the Javanese poem Desawarnana of 1365.
What is inside the cave?
A short T-shaped passage with niches holding a statue of Ganesha and an altar with three lingams.
What should I wear?
It is an active temple, and visitors wearing shorts are given a sarong at the entrance.
When were the bathing pools found?
The bathing pool in front of the cave was uncovered during excavations in 1954.
Is it a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
No. It was on UNESCO's tentative list from 1995 but was withdrawn in 2015.
Is the site accessible?
The site is reached down a long flight of stairs, which makes it difficult for visitors with limited mobility.
How long should I allow?
About an hour is enough to see the cave, the bathing pool and the Buddhist carvings in the ravine below.