Just ten minutes away from Ubud, central Bali in Indonesia is the village of Budulu, home to the Elephant cave which is estimated to date back to the 11th century at least and holds much significance in the Balinese Hindu culture of Indonesia. Though the origins of the cave are unknown there are a number of theories put forward. It was believed to have been used as a hermitage or sanctuary for Hindu priests and the cave to have been dug by the bare hands of the monks. Another story is that it was created by the fingernail of the legendary giant of Kebo Iwo but which ever its origins may be, it is an important Hindu archeological site and was named as a World Heritage Site in 1995.
The grotesque reliefs that almost look like demon faces now which were believed to have been earlier an elephant’s face or the caves close proximity to the Elephant River, currently known as Petanu River would have been the basis for its name as the Elephant cave or Goa Gajah. The menacing demon mouth at the entrance is also believed by many to be the Hindu earth god Bhoma. Some suggest the mouth belongs to Rangda, a child-eating witch of old Balinese mythology while others say the caves darkness suggests people are entering the underworld.
Enter through to a dark narrow passage that abruptly ends at an intersection. While the left passage leads to a small worship area in honour of Shiva, several stone longham and yoni, the right leads to a small niche with a statue of Ganesh, his son and god of wisdom, the Hindu deity reminiscent of an elephant. Two bathing pools built to ward off evil spirits face the cave also with bizarre carvings on all sides. The surrounding Buddha temples and statues suggest the cave has some relation to Buddhism as well as Hinduism. Though the cave and temple are relatively small, the surrounding gardens and fountains nestled amid green paddy fields add a beautiful serenity to the environment and the waterfall a little below the cave is a picturesque site and in whole, well worth a visit.
For those staying at a Bali spa resort, the cave is merely a ten minutes drive out of the city. COMO Shambhala Estate Bali is situated in idyllic surroundings and a jewel among Bali spa resorts for its exquisite service staff and comfortable setting.