If you arrive to Ubud in Bali, an exotic vacation destination famous for its picturesque sceneries and serene surroundings, with tropical beaches, lush greenery and is spending your holiday in one of the Udu villa resorts such as the Alila Villas Bali Ubud, you can enjoy the subtle eastern traditions ever present inside and surrounding the establishment and be guided in exploring all cultural attractions in the near vicinity.
Among such tourist attractions is the Goa Gaja, also known as Elephant Cave due to its close resemblance to the shape of an elephant that is famous for being a significant Hindu archaeological site and was nominated as a world UNESCO heritage site. Located in the western Bali, this cave is home to a series of mystical ancient carvings and relics dating back to the 11th century such as a small statue of the Hindu god Ganesh, in the form of an elephant and several linga and yoni statues.
Surrounded by several ancient Hindu temples, the elephant cave is presently an active site of worship among many and is considered a holy area belonging to a Hindu god. Conversely however, adding to the aura of mystery, some local villagers speak of this cave as a demonic area belonging in a child-eating witch from Balinese mythology perhaps as a result of the ornate demon’s mouth that decorate the entrance and the dark narrow passages it contains within. Whilst there are many areas yet to be explored, the excavations undertaken during the mid-1900’s have revealed impressive bathing pools in the cave courtyard boasts and remains of ancient Buddhist temples surrounding the cave.
Other than the ancient relics and mysterious history, the most impressive attraction for those who visit is the unearthly beauty of the surrounding from the tranquil paddy fields, vibrant greenery and a secluded waterfall only minutes away from the cave that is bound to stun the visitors to silence.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.