Goa Lawah temple and bat cave is one of Bali's key nine directional temples and serves as a guardian against dark spirits from the ocean. The cave here is a well known bat roost. On the north side of the coast road about 10 km west of Candidasa, close to Padang Bai.
Goa Lawah or Bat Cave is a cave on the hill bank dwelt by thousand of bats hang on the wall of cave. These bats are believed has a magic power to keep the temple and surrounding area from the bad influence. There is a Hindu temple existing in front of the cave which is one of the biggest Hindu temples in Bali. This cave is located in Klungkung regency, east part of Bali and it is just 1.5 hours from Denpasar town. The beautiful panorama of bath outing from the cave is in the late afternoon or in the sunset time. This cave is also to be a tourist destination in east part of the island.
Temple Entrance Gate: Goa Lawah Temple is a Hindu Temple with beautiful temple building. The entrance gate of this temple is made from the lava stone of Mount Agung eruption. It is carved based on Balinese style and ornament with wooden carving door to create the Balinese nuance on each decoration. This entrance gate is built together with the last renovation of this temple. The visitors or Hindu people who wish to enter the main temple must pass this entrance gate.
Middle Temple Area: Goa Lawah Middle Temple area is a second level temple area where the local resident calls Madya Mandala. It is consisted of Bale Kulkul, Bale Pesamuan and other shrines. It is surrounded by the black stone wall and beautiful ornamented main temple entrance gate. As usual temple areas in Bali, Goa Lawah Temple is also divided into three areas. In this middle area is used as a place for ceremony preparation. Goa Lawah Temple is one of the biggest temples in Bali and it is the right place to visit in the island.
Main Temple Area: Goa Lawah Temple area is consisted of three levels which is suitable to the Bali Direction Concept. As usual Hindu temples in Bali, Goa Lawah is divided into three parts those are main temple area (Utama Mandala), middle temple area (Madya Mandala) and outside area (Nista Mandala). We will find the biggest temple buildings in main temple area. We can also find the bat cave with thousand of bats hang on the cliff and other shrines. The temple ceremony procession in this temple is held from the main temple area and then continued to the middle and outside area.
Goa Lawah Temple History
According to the chronicle of Bendesa Mas, it mentions that the elaborations of Mpu Kuturan (a Hindu priest who come from Java) then he live in Bali which has been hosted in Silayukti, Padang Bai. He also builds some temple like Goa Lawah Temple.
According to the Papyrus of Dwijendra Tattwa, it narrates that after Danghyang Nirartha stay some nights at Goa Lawah, then he build a Kahyangan Temple on the ground. It means that Danghyang Nirartha extends the Palinggih or temple building existing at Goa Lawah Temple.
Function of Goa Lawah Temple
Based on Papyrus of Kusuma Dewa, it is Giha Lawah, a palace from Basuki god.Based on Papyrus of Padma Bhuwana is explaining that in accordance to holy letter title Pentameter Aksara.
The structure of Goa Lawah Temple building is based on the temple building from Ista Dewata in particular of Padmasana which is located in front of Siwa Cave as power of entire universe potency.
Based on Lontar Babad Dalem is implying that Goa Lawah Temple as a good place to execute the Tirtha Yatra or Nyegara Gunung (meditation), because in this place there are nature potency of solidarity that is mount, the sea, goad an watu or petrify.
Source: http://www.balistarisland.com/Bali-Interesting-Place/Goa-Lawah-Temple.htm
Images: http://picasaweb.google.com/
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