Goa Gajah which means elephant cave is situated about 26 km from the Denpasar city and near to the Petanu river. It was built on the 11th century. The front cave was found by a Dutch archaeologist in 1923. The other excavation was done in 1954 which unearthed bathing places in front of the cave with six females figures representing nymphs of goddesses holding water spout. Inside of the cave there is a Ganeca statue on the left side and three linggas on the right side. These are two important evidences that this cave was used by the Hindu monks. But near this cave was also found two statues of Buddha. Perhaps monks of the two religions had a hermitage close to one another. |
