Bali Goa Lawah or Bat Cave Temple is one of favorite places of interest in Bali and it is located near of hilly bank so it is called reef of Middle hill. This cave is located in Pasinggahan countryside, Dawan sub district, Klungkung Regency, east part of Bali and about 1,5 hours from Denpasar Town.
There is a nature cave dwelt by thousands of tail bat located at north side from Jeroan/center of Gua Lawah Temple . Meanwhile the main road from Klungkung to Amlapura is just in front of the temple. This cave is apposite to the beautiful beach with black sand along the coastal area.
Pursuant to the papyrus of Dwi Jendra Tattwa, the Goa Lawah’s name is Goa Lelawah, the name which is given by Danghyang Nirartha (a priest overspread the Hindu teaching in Bali) when he stop in this place on his Tirtha Yatra trips. He arrive at a cave which is a lot of bats hang on and its unbroken voice clamor as hymn to add the beauty of the cave.
Therefore this cave is named by Goa Lawah or Bat Cave. On the above cave is growth by the flower trees with it’s smelt fragrance and stimulus the peace mind of Danghyang Nirartha, so that he overnight stay for some nights in this place. From the cave we see also the beautiful coast with the blue ocean with Nusa Penida Island as a backdrop.
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 Gua 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 Gua Lawah Temple .
Bali tourist attraction is a cave located on the beach called Beach Kusamba, at the mouth of the cave there is a temple named Pura Goa Lawah (Goa Lawah Temple).
Goa Lawah very interesting to visit because of strategic location off the coast with views of sea and island of Nusa Penida in the distance and the arrangement of beautiful beaches. On the beach sometimes tourists can witness traditional ceremonies and activities can also see bats hanging from the edge of the cave. Bali tourist attraction makes this one worth your visit with your family during the holidays to Bali.
Location : Goa Lawah Klungkung located in approximately 1 hour drive from Denpasar City or 4 miles from the center of Semarapura which is the district capital Klungkung.
