# Bat Cave Temple of Six Heavens

- Link: https://legawa.com/buku-harian/bat-cave-temple-of-six-heavens/
- Published: 2011-06-20T10:14:45+07:00
- Author: Cahya

Last Saturday, I visited the “_Goa Lawah_” (literally means: bat cave) Temple on
the Southeast coast of Bali. Its located about 50 km from Denpasar City on the main
way to Candidasa. In the old-time it located in the border between the Kingdom of
Karangasem and Klungkung.

Since it was built around 11th century by the initiative of Master Kuturan. The 
temple now become the place of praying to the God as ruler of all oceans – The Vishnu
of Trimurti, or local people called it as “_Bhatara Tengahing Segara_” – The Lord
of Sea Centre.

[⌊Goa Lawah Temple⌉⌊Goa Lawah Temple⌉[

Goa Lawah Temple symbolizes the head of Great Serpent Basuki (Lord Vishnu as the
protector of life and wisdom), while the tail of great serpent lies at Goa Raja (
the king cave) somewhere in Besakih Temple (the largest Hindu Temple in Bali). The
head symbolizes the sea, and the tail symbolizes the mountain. The traditional procession
which includes spiritual guidance along the life spirits from the sea to the mountain
is called “_nyagara-gunung_” by the Balinese, which means “to the sea and mountain”.

It believed that Goa Lawah at Klungkung connected to Goa Raja at Besakih Temple,
but an earth quake at 1917 make the cave collapsed and closed permanently according
to old people tales.

Goa Lawah Temple together with Besakih Temple form a great nature _Lingga Yoni_ –
a symbol of life creation, the fusion of spirit and material which bring about every
living form in this universe.

[⌊Goa Lawah Entrance⌉⌊Goa Lawah Entrance⌉[

As one of _Sad Kahyangan_ (Six Heavens) in Bali, Goa Lawah always becomes a popular
temple among locals and tourists.  You can visit Goa Lawah Temple if you come to
Bali, just check it on [FourSquare](https://foursquare.com/venue/8657582) to see
the exact location.

## Comments

### By: jarwadi

- Link: https://legawa.com/buku-harian/bat-cave-temple-of-six-heavens/comment-page-1/#comment-15119
- Published: 2011-06-21T07:54:19+07:00

like how to Balinese give respect to their culture and their ability to preserve
everything 🙂

Memuat...