Mystery tangled with mythology in Bali

Travelling often teaches you more than any professional teacher ever would. At least, that’s what we believe in. India is predominantly populated by the Hindus and mythological stories about the good and the evil have been passed on from one generation to the other.

Here, we were at an Island far away from home. Quite surprisingly, the roads and the lanes manifested the same characters from the same stories with all the houses having the structure similar to that of a temple. The god of rains, Varuna, as we know it, becomes Baruna in Bali. However, what was surprising was how the mythological stories and rituals were followed with certain changes here and there. For instance, unless a special occasion demands, you aren’t allowed to go extremely near to the idols in some of the temples. Often, you’ll find a Hindu temple and a Buddhist temple in the same premises which speaks volumes about the harmony that the little island stands by. Quite a good lot of temples in Bali are juxtaposed straight on the nature’s lap standing firm right adjacent to the infinite ocean. Singapore based writer, Julian Davinson correctly puts down the mystery: “as for the Balinese, everything has its correct place in the world, with the gods on high, malevolent spirits in the lowest regions, and mankind sandwiched between the two. This cosmological framework influences not only the domestic architecture of the Balinese but also their palaces and pavilions-and the myriad of temples which are scattered throughout the island”.

In our eight-day journey of Bali, we have visited three of the most prominent temples of Bali which we will publish in two sets:

Goa Gajah

Etymologically speaking, Goa Gajah derives its name from ‘The Elephant cave’. Surprisingly, there was just the cave without the elephant. Locals believe that the cave was intended to be a place for meditation. As we made our way into the cave, this didn’t come as a surprise to us. The cave was exceptionally warm. Faint aroma of clay and freshly blossomed flowers gave us a taste of divinity. Right next to the cave, you’ll find the fresh spring water pool boasting Hindu angles holding vases. Surrounded by lush green trees and huge rocks, the sight of this temple is bound to absolutely relax a person. You also wouldn’t mind sipping some coconut water available at the kiosks outside the temple while you sink into the serenity of the temple and its surrounding.

Climb a few stairs down the temple and you are set to mesmerize by a waterfall and small streams making their way from middle of the forests. Bulky Banyan trees, waterfalls, colossal rocks, green mosses; this looked like straight from S.S Rajamoulli’s epic film ‘Bahubali’. The melodious sounds that these streams and the waterfall makes sends a feeling of extreme delight and you can’t thank the nature enough for its marvelous creation.

Location: Bedulu Village, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Timing: Daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Note: Wearing a Sarong is a practice that the visitors are sincerely advised to follow before entering the temple. Sarongs are complimentary and available at the entrance of the temple.

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