Literally means Elephant cave, and it is a “T” shaped cave. This was an ancient monastery of Hindu and Budhist monka who used to meditate in the cave. It is believed that the cave was built in the early 11th century. Its face is elaborately carved, depicting a demon head splitting open the rock with its bare hand at the mouth of the cave.
This ancient temple, situated around a carved cave entrance, is a major tourist attraction, with busloads of tourists arriving in the parking lot all the time. Out of respect for the temple, visitors are requested to wear sarongs. You walk down a series of steps to the temple.
In common with many temples, Goa Gajah has springs and pools of holy water. This is a rather dried up pool – they probably only fill it when it is going to be used. The famous cave entrance is elaborately carved. Inside the cave is a statue of the Hindu character Ganesh (Ganesa) – half elephant, half boy – from which the temple gets its name. Behind the temple is a rice field where they grow rice used in temple ceremonies, irrigated from the irrigation channel.
Goa GajahGoa Gajah |
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