ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES TOUR
In one day trip visit some interesting archaeological sites in Tampaksiring and Bedulu near Ubud. Tirta Empul is a Hindu temple famous for its holy water where Hindu Bali people go for purification. The temple pond has a spring which provides fresh water regularly and is considered as holy water. Tirta Empul was built in 962 A.D. during the Warmadewa dynasty. On the left side of the temple is the Indonesian Presidential Palace built in 1954.
Gunung Kawi is an 11th-century temple complex that is spread across either side of the Pakerisan River. It comprises 10 rock-cut candi (shrines) that are carved into some 7metre high (23 ft) sheltered niches of the sheer cliff face. These monuments are thought to be dedicated to King Anak Wungsu of the Udayana Dynasty and his favorite queens.
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) is located in Bedulu, built in the 9th century, served as a sanctuary. At the façade of the cave is a relief of various menacing creatures and demons carved right into the rock at the cave entrance. The primary figure was once thought to be an elephant, hence the nickname Elephant Cave. The site is mentioned in the Javanese poem Desawarnana written in 1365.
In the same village you will find Yeh Pulu Relief. This monument was found in 1925 and published by the Archeological Department of Holland in 1929. The relief is made from lime stone carved on the rock, 25 meter long and 2 meters high. The story depicts real life in the forest and the daily life in the old Bali Kingdom.
