Goa Gajah Elephant Cave
If you are driving up near Ubud during your holiday in Bali, Goa Gajah or Elephant Cave is a well known landmark worth a visit. The cave is just outside of the village of Bedulu, about 2km from Ubud town.
The cave is thought to date as far back as the 11th century and consists of a rock cut cave, a bathing place with holy water and a number of Hindu and Buddhist statues. The attraction is firstly the grotesque looking cave entrance which some perceive to be like an elephant. We don’t know if this is how it got the name Elephant Cave or whether it was named after the river nearby, the Petanu River (Elephant River).
The cave was carved out by Balinese priests and is laid out like a T-junction on the inside. In one section, there are a number of niches carved in the walls which may have been sleeping quarters. As you walk through the cave you will come across a Ganesha statue and three Shiva lingga at the end. Part of the mystery of the caves are the existennce of Buddhist statues such as the Buddhist goddess of fertility, stupas and two meditating Buddhas.
If you are adventurous and want to hire a car to drive round Bali, this is one place you could stop by and visit on your way to Ubud. However, a half day tour with a tour guide might be better to avoid the stress of driving along Bali roads if you aren’t used to it.
Bali Half Day Excursion to Goa Gajah
