It paints a scene from history. The traditional influence is awash here. Goa Lawah or the Bat cave is one of the most visited places in Bali. Thousands have visited there before you. The cave is everything from unsettling beauty to indigenous influence.
Goa Lawah Temple, a shrine for Balinese Hindu
This temple is not difficult to reach. It is perched close to a hilly bank – probably why the Balinese call it reef of Middle hill. Try and visit the natural cave infested with bats. However, you will feel most at peace here for its calm and serene air. So to speak, this temple might rank as one of the favourite places in your global diary.
As you make your way to the temple, one sight you cannot miss wil bee the beautiful beach with black sand along the coastal area. The temple gets its name by a priest, Danghyang Nirartha, who propagated Hindu teaching in this area. His is an interesting tale. Nirartha was on a pilgirmage when he spotted this place for a break. He saw myriad meanings in the cave. The bat noise was a melodious chorus for him. All that emanated like a hymn, so there was much beauty in this cave for him. So the priest baptized the cave as Bat Cave or Goa Lawah.
Over the cave, you will sight a heavy growth of flower trees. The aroma has such a fragrance. It gives you such a bliss. No wonder the priest made it a point to stay here for a few nights. The cave has a stunning panoramic view with the beach on one side and Nusa Penida Island in the backdrop.
Goa Lawah history
If you are interested in the cave’s history, you must read Bendesa Mas chronicle. Mpu Kuturan, a Hindu Priest, came to live here originally. He has built other temples like Goa Lawah.
Dwijendra Tattwa’s papyrus inscriptions reveal another tale. Like it is mentioned above, Danghyang Nirartha had spent a few nights and built another temple on the premises.
This particular temple was named as Pura Goa Lawah. The temple gradually attracted the tourist attention, mostly by the word of mouth. It is even more intriguing with its strategic position. Strategic position, in a sense, is how it is located off the coast. If you happen to visit the beach, you might be one lucky person to witness a traditional function or two. These traditional functions are a good way to get familiar with the Bali rhythm.
Even from distance, while standing on beach, you can spot how bats hang from the caves. That is why you shall not forget to visit the beach with your whole family. It is a perfect way to celebrate your family holiday.
History
Well, most travellers do not care that much about history. But most places require historical awareness to some extent. That historical awareness will abet you to explore more into details of the place. Simply put, Goa Lawah is Balinese two syllables for bat cave. Needless to state, this place has a breathtaking beauty.
Stand anywhere, and you will enjoy the nice fusion of sea and mountains in one thread.
So the temple is so called, because of its occupants: bats – thousands and thousands of them. If you reach the cave yard, you will see many meru and sthana. The history has it that one MPU Kuturan arrived in Bali in the 10th century. He has spotted many places in Bali. This place has fascinated him, just like it would when you step there. He witnessed heaven on earth here. That is one historical account of how Goa Lawah temple came to be.
Location
If you manage to get to Denpasar city, you will take only one hour to reach Goa Lawah Klungkung. The cave temple is at at the south east coast of Bali. If you book Alila Manggis, one of the Bali Hotels Deals, you will find it more convenient to reach here.
For most who journey towards eastern Bali, this temple is a nice stopover. The locals, even tourists included, will make it a point to stop over to worship the place. The temple maintains its solemn and majestic look by its large structure. Those two large banyan trees – you will see them as you enter through main entrance – add much elegance to the whole temple. There itself, the trees will prepare you to the temple’s religious environ.
Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.
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