Pura Goa Lawah
About 2km (1 1/4 miles) east of Kusamba, and popularly known as the Bat Cave, this is one of the nine kahyangan jagat (directional temples) on Bali, which protect the island from evil spirits. Pura Goa Lawah is revered as a sacred site for Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. The dark interior is filled with a seething mass of bats that makes the walls of the cave appear to be alive. Seawater here is thought to be blessed and is brought to the mother temple of Besakih. Legend has it that a tunnel extends from the cave up to Besakih some 30km (19 miles) away, though it has yet to be discovered. The temple is one of sad kahyangan (six great temples of Bali) and the cave is a favored site of nyekah (deification of the deceased family member soul) pilgrimage. The best time to visit is during odalan, the temple birthday (June 1), when pilgrims flock to be blessed.
About 2km (1 1/4 miles) east of Kusamba, and popularly known as the Bat Cave, this is one of the nine kahyangan jagat (directional temples) on Bali, which protect the island from evil spirits. Pura Goa Lawah is revered as a sacred site for Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. The dark interior is filled with a seething mass of bats that makes the walls of the cave appear to be alive. Seawater here is thought to be blessed and is brought to the mother temple of Besakih. Legend has it that a tunnel extends from the cave up to Besakih some 30km (19 miles) away, though it has yet to be discovered. The temple is one of sad kahyangan (six great temples of Bali) and the cave is a favored site of nyekah (deification of the deceased family member soul) pilgrimage. The best time to visit is during odalan, the temple birthday (June 1), when pilgrims flock to be blessed.
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