GUNUNG KAWI ROCKY TEMPLE

Gunung Kawi Rocky Temple is one of the most amazing Balinese Hindu temples, in order to get to this archeological site, we need to walk down to the valley on a couple hundred steps. There are some shops along the way selling typical tourist stuff although they also sell some unique handicrafts like coconut shell carving and bone carving. Bone carvings are indeed available all over Bali but it's originally from this village. Some talented carvers specializing in carving the bone or even ivory are coming from this area. As you walk further down, your eyes will start to be pleased by the beautiful view of the valley.

How to Get to Gunung Kawi Rocky Temple

Gunung Kawi Rocky Temple is located at Tampaksiring village at the cross road to Tirta Empul. From this cross road you go down a small path toward Pakerisan River about a quarter of an hour on foot and you get to Gunung Kawi. To reach the temple from the main Tampaksiring highway, be prepared to descend hundreds of steps before you reach the temple complex. Where the stairs end, proceed through a stone archway with small pillars each holding an earthen vase filled with holy water, which you sprinkle on yourself before entering the complex.

What to Expect at Gunung Kawi Rocky Temple

Small stone caves that actually serve as meditation sites complement the shrines, where Buddhist monks used to sit and contemplate. Indeed, Balinese history has shown that the 2 religions harmoniously coexisted in the past. Across the river and beside the first rock shrine complex is a functional temple courtyard that the locals essentially refer to as Pura Gunung Kawi. Inside, it's laid out like any other Balinese temple courtyard, complete with various shrines surrounding the temple's main grand pavilion or bale.

Proper attire comprising a sarong cloth with a sash around the waist is customary, and women shouldn't visit or enter the Gunung Kawi Temple complex during their periods. Sashes and sarongs are available for rent with the ticket purchase at a booth before the stairs that lead down to the valley. The temple is decorated during its piodalan temple anniversary every year following the Purnama Katiga or 3rd full moon on the Balinese calendar. Such occasions allow for a more festive and exotic setting for photographs. Note that there's a similarly named temple, Gunung Kawi Sebatu, about 4.5 km north-west.

Gunung Kawi Rocky Temple History

If we look at it from the name we know today, maybe the possibility of Mount translation as Gunung dan Kawi is a poet, so that Gunung Kawi can mean a mountain of poets. The river that forms a cliff whose slope is cut for the temple is Pakerisan river, keris means a long Balinese knife or knife. What is actually called the name is not clear until now. today people consider this complex as part of a temple that was built later. Seeing from history is not part of a temple in the meaning of worshiping the Hindu God, but has a relationship with the king’s personal deification. The complex consists of 5 smaller complexes, and includes 6 complex temples.

Two complexes on the eastern slope of the river and 3 complexes are on the western slope. Two complexes facing each other are separated by rivers identified as belonging to the king and queen or concubines. The complex for the king consisted of 3 candis cutting stones and a complex for the Queen consisting of 4 candis cutting stones. It is difficult to understand that only the temple for the king was made in 3. Maybe the king was with 2 main concubines, and 4 candis on the other side of the river were only for other concubines. At the temple door for the king mentioned in the king’s inscription died in Jalu. Jalu can mean kris or spurs, sharp little knives armed to battle chickens.

Gunung Kawi Rocky Temple Entrance Ticket

Adult : IDR 50,000
Children : IDR 25,000
Opening Hours : 08.00 AM - 06.00 PM