Goa Gajah ( Elephant Cave )

15 Dec 2008 by admin, No Comments »

In the 1920’s, the first Westerner seeing the head carved at Goa Gajah, thought it was the face of an elephant. No one is sure what the figure represent. According to 14th century Javanese scribes, this was one of Bali’s principal Buddhist sanctuaries. Yet in the dark tunnels of its cave we find Hindu linggas and a statue of Siwa’s son Ganesha, elephant god of Hinduism. At every turn one is confronted with elements of both religions, ranging from the 8th to 14th centuries. To the left of he cave is a small shrine housing a 1000-year old statue of the Buddhist Hariti, protector of children. There are two small Buddhas in the lotus position, also tentatively dated to the time of great Borobudur.

goa gajah baliIn the 1920’s, the first Westerner seeing the head carved at Goa Gajah, thought it was the face of an elephant. No one is sure what the figure represent. According to 14th century Javanese scribes, this was one of Bali’s principal Buddhist sanctuaries. Yet in the dark tunnels of its cave we find Hindu linggas and a statue of Siwa’s son Ganesha, elephant god of Hinduism. At every turn one is confronted with elements of both religions, ranging from the 8th to 14th centuries. To the left of he cave is a small shrine housing a 1000-year old statue of the Buddhist Hariti, protector of children. There are two small Buddhas in the lotus position, also tentatively dated to the time of great Borobudur.

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