Holidays in Bali to Goa Lawah : a Bat Cave and Sacred Temple in Bali

April 11, 2011 No Comments

A Home for Thousands of Bats

Holidays in BaliSurfing in Dreamland Beach, Bali. Read more ... » series now goes to Goa Lawah. Goa Lawah is a famous religiousPlace of the day: Metéora, Greece, a Combination of Peaceful and Breathtaking Views of Nature. Read more ... » place to go in Klungkung area, 49 km east of Denpasar and about 20 minutes drive from Candi Dasa. From Kuta, it will take you around 1.5-2 hours driving. Goa Lawah literally means “bat caveFairytale Reed Flute Cave, Guilin, China. Read more ... »” in local balinese language, serves as a sacred place for Hindu people. It is where thousands of bats stay there and becoming the place for  Balinese people to do the offerings and praying. Balinese people oftentimes stop by to Goa Lawah to give their offerings if they happen to pass by the area. Since Goa Lawah is located along the coast of west Candi Dasa, visitors could enjoy the view of Nusa Penida Island from far.

Goa Lawah was built as the gratitude to gods in manifestation of Girinatha, as a guardian of mountain, and Baruna, as the sea lord. Numerous traditional ceremonies are held here especially on festival times or at Odalan (temple birthday). Festival times are the best time to come to Goa Lawah because you will see how Balinese people will come and do their spiritual ceremonies. Since the place is sacred, to go inside the area you have to wear sarong and sash. You can buy them from souvenir sellers who sell in front of the area or you can also bring your own sarong and sash.

Bali, Indonesia | Balinese people are praying in Goa Lawah

In the front of the temple, you will see a relief of golden bat, as a sign that the place is called Goa Lawah. Inside the area is calm and mystical, sometimes gives you the chills for being inside a sacred place. Please bear in mind that Balinese people always disallow women in a menstruation period to come inside the sacred area. It is because of what Balinese people believe in, that women in a menstruation period (other than bereaved people and some more situations) are considered as  ”spiritually unclean”. Anyway, that’s at least the education of what Balinese people believe in that you should know.

Bali, Indonesia | Bats as seen on the cave wall

There are some buildings inside Goa Lawah complex. In the middle of the area there is a cave with some shrines built for putting offerings. Thousands of bats are seen hanging on the cave wall.  But don’t worry, those bats won’t be harmful. The place is open from 8.00-17.00 and the ticket for each person is less than US$1. The best time to come to Goa Lawah is during festivalsJoin the celebration of Oktoberfest in Munich | Germany. Read more ... », when the calm temple becomes alive with prayings, sounds, singings, and offerings.

WHERE TO STAY?

For planning on your own holidays to Bali, especially nearby Candidasa, some hotels available are:

1. Bali Palms Resort (starts from US$55)
2. Alila Manggis Hotel Bali (starts from US$127)
3. The Watergarden Hotel Bali (starts from US$125)
4. Rama Candidasa Resort and Spa Bali (starts from US$ 58)

Check out for more options of Hotels throughout Bali.

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Tags: bat cave bali, goa lawah bali, holidays in bali, vacation bali. cheap hotels in BaliASIA, Indonesia