GOA LAWAH TEMPLE

"An Amazing Bat Cave Temple in Bali"

Goa Lawah Temple is located at Desa Pesinggahan, Kecamatan Dawan, Kabupaten Klungkung. It is approximately 50 kilometers or an hours drive from the capital city of Bali, Denpasar.

Goa Lawah Temple which situates just under a hill and opposite the beach is therefore predicted to have been used as a worshipping place which has a natural spirits which come from hill and sea power by Balinese Hinduism since pre Hindu up to present time (Dinas Kebudayaan Propinsi Bali, 2001, p.13). This temple therefore, is now a days used as a holy place for "Nyegara-Gunung" (Sea-Mountain) ceremony as completetion of "Dewa Yadnya" and "Pitra Yadnya" rituals conducted by Balinese Hinduism in Bali.

"The Piodalan" an anniversary ceremony at Goa Lawah Temple is conducted every six months Balinese calender or equals to 210 days exactly on "Anggara Kliwon Medangsia". The temple is fully cared both physically and ritually by the member of "Desa Pakraman Pesinggahan" which consists of five "Banjar Adat" (sub-traditional village) namely Banjar Adat Timbul, Banjar Adat Kanginan, Banjar Adat Kawan, Banjar Adat Kelodan, dan Banjar Adat Bedauh.

Historically, Goa Lawah Temple was built approximately in the 11th century by "Empu Kuturan"; a Hindu priest coming from East Java during his religious trip to Bali (Soebandi, 1983, p.22). During his trip, he did not only build temples, but also gave religious speeches to local people in Bali. He was the first man who introduced the concepts of "Khayangan Tiga", "Khayangan Jagat", "Sad Khayangan", and other traditional Balinese architectures such as Palinggih Meru, Tugu and Gedong which contemporarily practised by Hindu followers in Bali. 

Another Hindu priest which play roles in the development of Goa Lawah Temple is "Danghyang Nirartha". he is the son of "Empu Kuturan's" younger brother name "Empu Baradah". He travelled from the West of Bali to East through South coast of Bali then stopped at the Northern part of Kusamba Village where he saw a small hil with a cave below which gave hushed situation and offered nice panorama of Nusa Penida Island and thousands of bats hanging around the cave.

The high land which locates opposite the beach is considered to have a strong spirit; therefore, he did meditation and worshipping in such place and named the place as "Goa Lawah" in which Goa means cave, while Lawah is Bat (Soebandi, 1983, p.22). He came to Bali during King Dalem Gelgel Sri Waturenggong's leadership between 1411 to 1550. He introduced the concept of Padmasana.

Goa Lawah is one of Sad Kahyangan temple which is located in the South East of Bali island. It is a place where Dewa Maheswara; one of the Almighty God's manifestations.

"Are You interested in exploring more about this amazing Bat Cave temple and rituals conducted inside? - Just simply ask one of our friendly English speaking local guides to escort you around the temple".