UBUD BALI
Getting To Know Goa Gajah Temple/ Elephant cave
Goa Gajah dates all the way back to the 9th century (some sources say 10th). It was initially a meditation site for Buddhist monks and Hindu priests, which explains the mix of Buddhist and Hindu elements in the complex.
The cave itself is believed to have been carved into the rock sometime around the 11th century during the reign of the Warmadewa dynasty. It was rediscovered in the 1920s by Dutch archaeologists and more relics were unearthed in the 1950s.
The name Goa Gajah translates to “Elephant Cave” but there is no concrete evidence of elephants ever living here. The ongoing theory is that it was named after the Ganesha statue inside – a Hindu god with an elephant’s head.
Others say that the cave was named after the carving at the entrance – claiming that it resembles an elephants head (I squinted as hard as I could and I still couldn’t see it.) Either way, the name stuck around.
The entire place is a massive complex that consists of temples, waterfalls, bathing pools, a huge courtyard, and even a flowing river in the very far end
Goa Gajah: A Brief History
Goa Gajah stands as a testament to Bali’s deep spiritual and cultural history, dating all the back to at least the 9th century during the heigh of ancient Javanese and Balinese Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms.
Built as a place of meditation, the origins are closely tied to Bali’s early religious devlopment, reflecting the island’s unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
The Elephant Cave itself, with it’s intricately carved entrance, was designed to serve as a sanctuary for monks and priests seeking enlightenment. The Ganesha statue and Shiva lingams suggest that Bali’s Hindu past is deep-rooted.
The set of bathing pools with fountains in front of the cave were buried for centuries and only rediscovered in 1954. This reveals that the site once functioned as a place of ritual purification. Balinese people have long believed that sacred water holds purifying and protective properties.
Best Time to Visit Goa Gajah Temple
As always with outdoor destinations, it’s best to visit in the early morning hours before 10:00 pm. The best time to visit is after 5:00 pm when the jungle provides more shade and the sun is starting to set.
Between mid-March and October (Dry Season) is the most recommended time to visit, but any other month shouldn’t stop you from visiting the Elephant Cave. November to February is Bali’s wet season and can experience unforgiving rainfall at times.
However, the temple is still open all year round. The upside to visiting during the rainy season is that you’ll likely have the place mostly to yourself. An large umbrella will conquer the rain easily.
The Location
Goa Gajah is located approximately 5 kilometers southeast of Ubud in Bedulu, Gianyar. The exact location on Google Maps is Bedulu, Blahbahtuh, Gianyar Regency. It is a short drive from the centre of Ubud.
The temple complex is easily accessible by car, motorbike, or scooter and is a popular stop for visitors exploring Ubud and surrounding areas. The site itself sits near the Petanu River which adds to the mystical ambiance.
Here is the distance from major areas in Bali
- Central Ubud: 13-15 minutes
- Seminyak: 1.5 hours
- Canggu: 1.5 hours
- Kuta / Legian: 1.5 hours
- Bali Airport: 1.5 hours
- Nusa Dua: 1.5 hours
- Uluwatu: 2 hours
- Amed: 2.5 hours
Goa Gajah Opening Hours
You can visit Goa Gajah any day of the week. It is open from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm, but if you enter before 6:00 pm, you can continue exploring until 7:00 pm.
I recommend staying about 1 hour – although you can make it a quicker visit just the visit the Elephant Cave. But if you’d like to explore the entire property which extends all the way to the river at the bottom, take your time and spend 1 – 1.5 hours.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Goa Gajah is IDR 50,000 and goes toward maintaining the property and keeping it clean and presentable for visitors.
Tickets can be paid with IDR cash or with credit / debit cards. After purchasing your entrance tickets, you can enter and stay as long as you wish. The entrance fee includes a sarong rental.
- Foreign adults: IDR 50,000 (AUD $5 or USD $3.15)
- Foreign children: IDR 25,000 (AUD $2.50 or USD $1.60)
Upon exiting, you’ll need to pay your parking fee. If you’re visiting the temple with one of our drivers, you don’t need worry about this. Parking fees are not included in your entrance fee.
- Car parking fee: IDR 10,000
- Scooter parking fee: IDR 5,000
What to Do at Goa Gajah
Explore the Elephant Cave – As previously mentioned, the Elephant Cave itself is quite small. You can enter to explore the interior. Inside of the cave, you’ll find a Ganesha statue and the lingam and yoni
Take photos – The entire temple complex provides tons of opportunities to get picturesque photos. The surrounding jungle and massive trees create an exotic backdrop.
Get a workout – The first thing you’ll notice upon entering is the never ending amount of stairs. While the descent is easy work, the climb back up will definitely work the thighs and calves.
Enjoy the atmosphere – One of my favourite things about the temple is that the jungle completely soundproofs the area – not a single sound of a scooter or car, just the fainting sounds of a few cascading waterfalls.
Find the Buddhist temple – If you keep following the stairways, you’ll eventually come across a small Buddhist temple after a huge tree with massive roots. Here you will likely run into an old gentleman who will ask you if you want to know more about the temple. This is not a scam nor is he trying to upsell you. He simply wants people to learn more about Bali’s Buddhist past. However, his English is not that great.
Shop for souvenirs – At the entrance, you’ll pass several vendors selling souvenirs like handmade crafts, sarongs, and small knick-knacks. I suggest saving your souvenir shopping for Ubud Art Market instead.
Visit the temples – Near the Elephant Cave at the back of the courtyard are active Balinese temples. You can enter these if you wish to explore. If there’s a ceremony, please be respectful and quiet.
Sit by the bathing pools – Sit and enjoy the quietness for a few moments. You’ll be sitting in a place once used by people over a thousand years ago.
Visit the waterfalls – There are a few waterfalls that run through the complex. Although they’re not as picturesque as some of the best waterfalls in Bali, they compliment the exotic nature of the temple.
Walk down to the river – If you follow the stairways all the way to the bottom, it will take you to Petanu River. You can find signs pointing to “Elephant River.” This area is quite serene and I suggest taking a break here to enjoy the nature.
Attractions near Goa Gajah
Yeh Pulu Temple – 1.4 km away
- ARMA (Agung Rai Museum of Art) – 3.4 km away
- Ubud Monkey Forest – 4.2 km away
- Ubud Palace Legong Dance – 5.2 km away
- Ubud Art Market – 5.3 km away
- Saraswati Temple (Ubud Water Palace) – 5.4 km away
- Blanco Museum – 6.2 km away
- Kanto Lampo Waterfall – 6.2 km away
- Tibumana Waterfall – 10.5 km away
Travel Tips
Here are a few tips to make the most out of your visit:
- Bring water. You can also buy water from the souvenir shops.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking.
- Take tons of photos! The entire complex is filled with Instagrammable spots.
- Dress modestly. It is a temple. If you’re wearing shorts or short skirts, you’ll be provided a sarong (included in your entrance ticket).
- Politely refusing souvenir vendors who are trying to sell you items.
