The temple of Goa Gajah is situated in the village of Bedulu, Blahbatuh district, in the regency of Gianyar. Only 26 Km from Denpasar, it is just a short drive from the beach resort of Sanur and Kuta. In addition to the temple are art shop and restaurants to meet for the needs of visitor.Around the temple beautiful rice field line the gorge through which stream the Petanu River. Nearby can be found the historic sites of Yeh Pulu, Samuan Tiga, Gedung Arca, Arjuna Bertapa, Kebo Edan, Pusering Jagat, the temple of Penataran Sasih, and others.
The history of Goa Gajah is not known assuredly. In a literal translation “Goa” means cave and “Gajah” elephant. The name is a fusion of the name Pura Guwa (Temple Cave), as it is called by the local people, and the ancient name as it appears in the scriptures know as Ergajah and Lwa Gajah.
The names Antakujarapada and Ratnakunjarapada, also containing the meaning of elephant (Kunjara), can be found in the scriptures of Negara Kertagama, which date back to between the 10th and 14th centuries. This is validated by ancient relics found in the area.
In the courtyard at Goa Gajah Temple can be found and archaic source of holy water, 12 by 2’3 meters in size, devided into 3 compartment. The no them most compartment has ‘3 stonecarved fountains, and so does the southernmost. In the middle area all that leftover is the base of the fountain. Approximately 13 meters from here, on the northern side, is a cave like meditation niche in T shape, 2 meters in height and and about 2,75 meters wide. In the left and right conners of this niches can be found a fourther 15 meditation. In the easthem most corner are three linggums, and in the western most corner a statue of Ganesa. With in the temple yard other fragments of the ancient ruinshave been found, which have not yet been reconstructed the surreunding walls on the western side still be left over, forming a compartment around the steep drop beside the temple.
Few artifacts found at the Bali Elephant Cave Temple such as
Ganesha statue, in Hindu mythology he is the son of God Siwa with Goddess Parwati / Uma.Ganesha also referred as the God to repellent from danger / Wighnapati, as well as the God of Wisdom / Winayaka.In addition Ganesha who has seven names in accordance function.And Ganesha himself who has Elephants face, human body, and he has 4 arms, each hands carrying different things as become symbol of :
Paracu / Ax which is the emblem/symbol destroyer of all danger, in a sense symbol of our minds how to combat nescience.
Mangkok / Bowl of Water / Candies and his trunk suction, which become symbol of Science / Knowledge has to look through their studies, where we should studying either at school or in the community for the good future of our live.
Patahan Taring / Broken Tusk / Canine fracture, which is a symbol of malignancy that has been insuperable, we must be able to control our ferocity / self control to be better person for our future,
Aksamala / Chain become symbol of knowledge without borders, even though we are clever there are still alot of thing that we ought to learn when we still here in the world, because in essence that knowledge is never ending.
Lingga statue, there are Tri Linggam symbol of Siwa in general, based in this concepts of Tri Murti (Brahma / the creator, Wishnu / protector, Siva / Destroyer), and each of these Lingga surrounded by 8 small lingga grounding in one place.
Widyadara / Widyadari statue with water comes out, is becoming symbol from Spirit Angel from the heaven, also the heritage relics that mainly the water used for purification during the ritual religion ceremony, and the water is symbol Amerta / water of live.And other philosophy about the spring water from the statue also become symbol of Sapta Gangga or 7 Seas, such as: Gangga,Yamuna, Sindhu, Saraswati, Godhawari, Narmada, and Serayu seas.
Hariti Statue or Men Brayut, this is the story of families who has many children / there are also told about the Goddess Hariti, in Buddhist mythology Yaksa was once classified as a predator of children, which named Yaksa Pancika, and her husband named Yaksa Atawaka, but after receiving lesson from Budha, Goddess Hariti ultimately become lovers and caregivers of children.
Budha statue / Dhyani Budha is a symbol of the Buddhist world Amitaba now, and in concepts Vajradatu, which controls the west with attitude of hands in Meditation Tapa / Dhyana Mudra.
archaic site was also supported by archaeological things.
The old building (petitaan kuno) is found at the front of the temple and is around 12 x 23m2 divided into 3 rooms. Three 3-spout statues are on the south, on the north and in the central part is another statue, called lapik (lapik arca). The T shaped cave is located on the northern part and is measured about 2,75 m, high 2 m, and 15 form of asceticism.Trilingga is a asceticism found in eastern part and in the west has Ganesha statue.
In yard of this Temple is a building fraction not reconstructed yet. A wall is built in the western part about 100m directly be dike masonry wall. In front of rhe temple has hermitage and built a rest place and bathing pools with water fountains. This ancient temple is situated around a carved cave entrance and is a major tourist attraction, with busloads of tourists arriving in the parking lot all the time.