Gunung kawi of Tampaksiring is located in Banjar Penaka, Tampaksiring Sub-District, Gianyar Regency. Gunung Kawi Temple is an archaeological site in the form of a very lovely and beautiful temple carved on the sandstone wall at the cliff of Pakerisan River.
Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring on map :
Historically, Gunung Kawi temple of Tampaksiring is the shrine (sthana)/place of worship of Balinese King called Anak Wungsu, the son of King Udayana. It was told that the King Udayana and his queen Gunapriya Dharmapatni had 3 sons, namely Airlangga as the eldest son and become the King of Kediri in East Java, White Marakata and Anak Wungsu continued the throne of King Udayana in Bali.
After the death of King Udayana he was replaced by Marakata in the year 1025 AD, later Marakata was superseded by his brother Anak Wungsu (1049 AD) until the year 1080 AD. These King after their death were enshrined in Gunung Kawi Temple ofTampaksiring.
On the wall of the Temple, it was found Kediri Kwadrat writing which reads ” Haji Lumah ing Jalu” which means the king who was enshrined in Jalu, while in the second temple, there is a writing which says “Rwa nak ira” which means “his two sons” so it can be concluded that the largest temple is the shrine of Udayana and the second temple was the shrine of his sons.
In tengkulak Inscription dated 945 Saka (1023 D), created during the reign of Sri Haji Paduka Dharmawangsa Marakata PAngkaja Stanattunggadewa, tells about the circumstance of the Hermitage (Kantyangan) Amarawati located around Pakerisan River, which in the inscription, was referred to as the area of Gunung Kawi Temple of Tampaksiring. In addition to as the ancestral shrine, Gunung kawi Temple is also a centre of spiritual and religious training.
In The southern part of Gunung Kawi Temple, there is a Campuhan which is the meeting of two river, namely Pakerisan and Bulan River, according to Hindu community belief, this Campuhan is believed as place for self purification.
Until now, people still believe and use the holy water/ Tirta available in Gunung Kawi Temple for the purpose of religious ceremonies.
Things To Do At Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring
At Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring, visitors can enjoy a variety of meaningful and cultural experiences:
- Explore the site : Take a peaceful stroll through the three main sections of the temple—Jaba Pura (outer courtyard), Jaba Tengah (central courtyard), and Jeroan (inner courtyard). You’ll find ancient architecture, intricate stone carvings, and a deep sense of history.
- Witness Cultural Ceremonies : If you’re lucky to visit during a religious festival or ceremony, you can witness traditional Balinese rituals, where locals offer prayers and make offerings, creating an unforgettable spiritual atmosphere.
- Discover the Mythology : Learn about the captivating legend of King Mayadenawa and Batara Indra, a story that adds layers of meaning to the temple and its sacred waters.
- Relax and Reflect : With its serene environment, lush greenery, and tranquil atmosphere, Tirta Empul is the perfect place to relax, meditate, or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
- Shop for merchandise : Many small art shop that sell beautiful merchandise around the site road.
Some caution when entering the temple
If general tourists wish to enter the temple area, there are several rules they must be aware of and follow. This is because the Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring temple’s primary function is not as a tourist site, but as a place of worship.
- Just like in other places of worship, there are sacred objects in the temple that should not be touched or handled carelessly. Never touch any buildings, items, or objects in the temple without permission from the temple’s caretaker or your guide. Some items, like stones on an altar, may seem ordinary, but to the locals, they are considered very sacred. Avoid touching them, and never sit on them.
- It’s also important to refrain from using foul or disrespectful language in the temple, as it is a sacred space.
- When entering the temple, travelers must wear appropriate clothing. This means covering areas that should remain private, such as the chest, hips, thighs, and similar parts of the body.
- Women are not allowed to enter the temple or sacred areas within the temple grounds during menstruation. This rule is important for maintaining the temple’s sanctity and ensuring personal safety.
- It is recommended to have someone accompany you in the temple, or you can hire a local guide to provide accurate information about the temple. Be sure to ask about their rates and agree on the price beforehand.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring site is IDR 50.000 for adults and IDR 30.000 for children. The site is open for tourist and traveler from 08:00 AM until 18:00 PM. the exception for prayers is allowed for 24 hours to enter the temple. Sarongs to wear to the temple is borrowed for free including ticket purchases.
That is the point and information to visit Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring. Below are more heritage place around Gianyar that interesting to visit.
Other Heritage Temple you can visit : Yeh Pulu, Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring, Gunung Kawi Sebatu, Pura Mengening, Goa Garba, Candi Tebing Tegallinggah.
Follow this link to show the map from other Heritage place nearby : 7 most visited heritage Places