Gunung Kawi Temple
Gunung Kawi Temple is a collection of beautiful ancient shrines set in a river valley, surrounded by rice fields and lush tropical forest. Because of its dramatic setting and peaceful atmosphere, it offers a very different experience compared to other temples in Bali.
For many visitors, it has remained a favorite day trip for years, not only for its historical significance, but also for the scenic walk down through the rice terraces and stone steps that lead to the temple complex.
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Gunung Kawi Temple consists of ten ancient shrines that resemble temple facades. Ancient Balinese builders created these monuments to honor deified kings and provide symbolic resting places for royal spirits. They carved the shrines directly into the valley walls on both sides of the Pakerisan River, which gives the site its dramatic and unique appearance.
Gunung Kawi holds a fascinating history. Inscriptions found on the shrines date their construction to around the 11th century. Many historians believe the monuments commemorate royal figures, mainly because their design resembles burial towers commonly found in Central Java. However, unlike the freestanding structures in Java, the craftsmen at Gunung Kawi carved these shrines directly into solid rock cliffs.
Although historians still debate the temple’s exact origin, strong evidence suggests that builders dedicated the first group of five shrines to King Anak Wungsu, who ruled central and eastern Bali from AD 1050 to AD 1080. According to local belief, artisans likely built one shrine for the king and the remaining four for his queens, who traditionally followed him in ceremonial death.
Rocky Temple Bali
Gunung Kawi Temple, often called the “Rocky Temple” of Bali, features two rows of ancient royal shrines carved directly into the cliffs along the Pakerisan River. Because it sits deep in a ravine, the complex is surrounded by terraced rice fields and dense greenery, creating a dramatic yet peaceful setting. Moreover, the sacred Pakerisan River flows through the center of the site, dividing it into two sections that a small bridge connects. As a result, the river not only shapes the landscape but also strengthens the temple’s spiritual atmosphere. For this reason, many believe the holy water sanctifies the entire complex.
On the eastern side of the river, five shrines form the main group of the complex. Meanwhile, four additional shrines stand across the bridge on the western side, and the final monument at the southern end is often called the “tenth tomb.” To reach this last shrine, visitors walk through a small field after descending the main staircase. According to local legend, the giant Kebo Iwa carved all ten shrines in a single night using only his fingernails, which further adds to the mystery of the site.
In addition, the name Gunung Kawi also refers to other temples in Sebatu, Keliki, and Babitra villages. However, the Tampaksiring complex remains the most famous. Behind the main shrines, visitors can explore ancient meditation caves. Historically, monks and pilgrims used these caves during the pre-Hindu period for quiet reflection and spiritual practice.
The History of The Temple
Gunung Kawi Temple often draws interpretation from the meaning of its name. “Gunung” means mountain, while “Kawi” refers to an ancient literary language linked to poets. Many people interpret the name as “Mountain of Poets.” The temple stands along the Pakerisan River, and some connect the river’s name to keris, the traditional Balinese dagger. However, historians still cannot clearly confirm the true origin of the name.
Historically, this complex does not function as a temple for worshiping Hindu gods in the usual sense. Instead, it relates closely to royal deification, a tradition that honored kings after death by carving monumental shrines in their memory.
The site features several shrine groups carved directly into the rock cliffs on both sides of the river. Two groups stand on the eastern side, while three rise on the western side. Many historians interpret the opposing shrines across the river as representations of royal family members. One group likely honors the king and includes three carved shrines. Another group likely commemorates the queen or royal consorts and contains four shrines. Scholars continue to debate the reason behind this difference in number.
Inscriptions at the site mention a king who reportedly died in “Jalu.” The word jalu can refer to a sharp weapon, such as a dagger or even the spur used in traditional cockfighting. These historical details add even more mystery to one of Bali’s most fascinating ancient monuments.
Gunung Kawi Temple Influence
Gunung Kawi Temple raises one major historical question: which king does this monument actually honor? For many years, scholars could not answer this clearly. They relied mainly on decorative inscriptions written in the quadrilateral Kadiri style to estimate its origin. Although the influence of the Kadiri Kingdom in Bali appeared around 1227 AD under King Kertanegara, stone inscriptions found at Mount Panulisan show earlier dates, such as 1011 AD, 1074 AD, and 1077 AD.
Historical records point to the period between 989 AD and 1001 AD, when King Udayana Warmadewa ruled Bali together with Queen Mahendradatta. Their royal charter states that King Udayana was deified in a place called “Banyu WKA,” while Queen Mahendradatta was deified in Buruan, a site that scholars have already identified. However, historians have not definitively identified Banyu WKA.
Many archaeologists suspect that Banyu WKA refers to Gunung Kawi. “Banyu” means water, and “WKA” suggests something clear or pure. Therefore, the name likely describes a sacred place near very clean water, which matches the setting along the Pakerisan River. Some researchers also connect the name to Pura Mangening, since “ening” also relates to clarity. However, Pura Mangening has only one small stone shrine, and its scale does not compare to the monumental carvings at Gunung Kawi.
When scholars compare the site with the queen’s monument in Buruan, they argue that a king’s memorial does not always require a massive complex. Still, the size and grandeur of Gunung Kawi strongly suggest that it commemorates an important royal figure, possibly King Udayana himself.
Monumentalized of Gunung Kawi Temple
So that is monumentalized on Gunung Kawi? Some archaeologists believe that is the son of Udayana, both kings Marakata Pangkajasthana or Anak Wungsu. The rules of Marakata are unknown, and there are not many records of his government. Different from Wungsu’s son, who issued many inscriptions and was a king diligently making every note, which led to the idea that he was a great king just like his father, Raja Udayana. With the length of time, the verdict from 1049 AD to 1077 AD can be proof that during his administration, the condition of the community was good, and it was impossible for him to be respected by all his people.
As a mat If we look at it from the name we know today, maybe the possibility of Mount translation is that Gunung dan Kawi is a poet, so that Gunung Kawi can mean a mountain of poets. The river that forms a cliff whose slope is cut for the temple is the Pakerisan River; keris means a long Balinese knife. What is actually called the name has not been clear until now. Today, people consider this complex to be part of a temple that was built later. Seeing from history, it is not part of a temple in the sense of worshiping the Hindu God but has a relationship with the king’s personal deification.
The Name of Gunung Kawi Temple
As a mat If we look at it from the name we know today, maybe the possibility of Mount translation is that Gunung dan Kawi is a poet, so that Gunung Kawi can mean a mountain of poets. The river that forms a cliff whose slope is cut for the temple is the Pakerisan River; keris means a long Balinese knife. What is actually called the name has not been clear until now. Today, people consider this complex to be part of a temple that was built later. Seeing from history, it is not part of a temple in the sense of worshiping the Hindu God but has a relationship with the king’s personal deification.
Gunung Kawi Temple Entrance Fee
To Enter the Gunung Kawi Temple you need to get a ticket Entrance which is 50.000 per person.
Gunung Kawi Temple on Google Map
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Transportation Options
So there are many taxi services to get around Ubud. For those of you who do not stay at one of the hotels in Ubud and plan to tour Ubud, there are several transportation options that you can choose to tour the attractions of Ubud. Here are the choices:
1. Looking for Car Rental Services with Drivers in Bali Ubud Car Rental
By renting a car and driver in Bali, it will be very easy for you to travel from one tourist spot in Bali to another. Without thinking about finding a parking space, looking for shortcuts, or thinking about road congestion.
In the area of the tourist attraction of Ubud, there is very rarely a car park available. Most people park on the side of the highway, which is often full. Because of this, we strongly recommend that you find a car rental service provider in Bali with a driver.
2. Buy a Cheap Tour Package in Bali UBUD TAXI
Because Ubud is very famous and gets very high demand from tourists, there are a lot of travel business providers that provide Ubud tour packages. The advantages of buying cheap tour packages in Bali with the Ubud route are that you get the advantages of car rental services with drivers. Besides that, your tour schedule will be planned and directed, and your holiday budget in Bali will be planned.
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