Pura Gunung Kawi

A breathtaking and awe-inspiring site located two kilometres south of

Tampaksaring, Gunung Kawi is two rows of ancient royal tombs on the

banks of the Pakerisan River deep in a ravine overlooked by terraced

rice-fields. A long, steep stone stairway leads down to this ancient

site. The holy Pakersian River flows through the centre of Gunung Kawi

cutting the site into two separate sections with a bridge to connect

one side to the other. It is believed the holy waters of the Pakerisan

sanctify Gunung Kawi, and the eerie beauty of the place is evokes a

peaceful atmosphere. There is parity with the tomb of Artaxerxes II at

Persipolis and the Ellora Caves in India with Gunung Kawi. he complex

does have an interesting history. Inscriptions over each Candi

approximate the date of construction to be in the 11th C. Gunung Kawi

was discovered by H.T. Damste in 1921 although the actual Balinese

knew of it well before then. It is believed that each temple served as

a memorial to a deified royalty principally because they are shaped

like the burial towers, or Candi’s, found throughout Central Java.

There is however a difference in the Candi in Bali to that of Java. In

Java they are free standing whilst those found at Gunung Kawi are

actually hewn reliefs in solid rock. Several theories prevail. The

most probable being that the main group of five candi were built for

King Udayana, his queen Gunapriya, a elder son and the youngest, Anak

Wungsu. Anak Wungsu is believed to have become a hermit after giving

up his reign over the kingdom (1050-1077 AD). However, another theory

states the whole complex is in fact a mausoleum for Anak Wungsu, his

wives and favourite concubines. In total there are ten Candi. On the

east side of the river are situated five candi which constitute the

main group in this complex. The candi are to the left-hand side when

you descend the stairway. Across the bridge are four candi on the west

side. The remaining candi at the southern end is often referred to as

the ‘tenth tomb’. It’s interesting to note that across the ravine from

the stairway is located a hermitage which has long since been

abandoned. At the bottom of the stairway and to your right-hand side

through a small field (about one kilometre) is where the tenth tomb is

located. It is regarded as a priest’s house, or ‘gria pendana’. It is

believed to be the candi of a high caste official and possibly that of

Anak Wungsu’s Prime Minister, Rakryan.

There is a Bhuddist monastery at the rear of the complex as you cross

the bridge. There are cells hewn out of the rock around a stone

pavilion within a courtyard. It is believed the monks that lived here

were most probably the caretakers of Gunung Kawi. To the east of this

main group of cloisters, there can be found a smaller and second group

of cells and thought to be used for sleeping and partaking in meals.

The legend to this amazing place is intriguing. It is believed that

the mythical giant Kebo Iwo carved out all of the ancient tombs in one

night with his fingernails.

a decent photograph of the place though i wish you had got us closer in, the right most hut and the man don't really add value - our main interest is in the rockface of which we have a quite superficial view... the written material is impressively exhaustive and i'm grateful to you for sharing so much of it... perhaps you have other closer views and plan to post them after this

Ah, back in wonderful Bali.  Thankyou for the time you took to include the history surrounding the shot.  It makes such a difference and I know it is time consuming, but the viewer has a much better understanding of this area and just why you chose not only to 'shoot' but makes us aware of a part of history we may not otherwise ever know.

It's almost like lost civilizations.....my mind does not want to even imagine if these places ever were to be destroyed by human or earthly disaster. Thank you Alec for this additon to this folder in your Portfolio.  Certainly has me travelling to wonderful places again, cheers for now, Gail