• Selling Last and Love in Bali
• What to Do-Kuta and Seminyak
• The Hidden Life of South Bali
• The Struggle to Save Bali's Turtles
• Jimbaran-The Bukit
• What to Do-Impossible Surf at The Bukit
• Fair Trade in Bali
• Ubud
• A Dance for Every Day
• Balinese Painters
• Ubud-What to do
• A Word of Dance
• East Bali in a Nutshell
• The Hidden life of East Bali
• Klungkung
• Where to Stay-Padang Bay
• Where to Stay Candidasa
• First and Third World in Tenganan
• Amlapura-Tirtagangga
• Tirtagangga and Around
• Amed Beach
• Planning Your Trip: The Best of Bali
• South Bali in a Nutshell

 

A Word of Dances

Take time to walk round the site towards the Petanu and feel its ener - gy, before entering the cave through the gaping, bulging-eyed face of the demon safe guarding the sanctuary - its origin has puzzled genera­tions of scholars.

On a pavilion on the left side, the statue of a female deity surrounded by children evokes the story of Hariti, a devourer of children, who became the protector of children after converting to Buddhism. Two bathing pools occupy the centre of the courtyard. The layout of the cave is very similar to hermit cells found in East Java , and harbours both Hindu and Buddhist sculptures, attest­ing to the long cohabitation and mutual influences of these religions in bali.

Lively Rocks Carvings at Yeh Pulu

Two kilometres further, the 25m-long, life-size frieze of Yeh Pulu is carved into a cliff near a sacred well. Its name derives from ”Yeh” (water) and “Pulu” (stone container). Its origins are no less mysterious than Goa gajah. Thought to date back to the 14 th century, the huge, plain carving depicts scenes from everyday life, the significance of which remains unknown – although some hunting scenes may have been inspired by the Hindu legends of Krisna. Buried under thick vegetation, they were uncovered in 1925 by painter Nieuwenkamp, and since then have suffered from erosion.

The pleasant site of Yeh Pulu, among the rice fields, is much quieter than Goa Gajah. An old priest and his wife, guarding the site, are ready to provide explanations and make your visit a memorable one.

Pura Penataran Sasih, Temple of the Moon Drum

Pura Penataran Sasish (“the Moon Governance Temple ”) was the state shrine of the 10 th century Pejeng kingdom. It has links with the Bali Aga mountain sanctuaries in Penulisan, on the rim of the Batur crater. Some fine sculptures of the pavilions in the temple courtyard date.

dramatic jegog bamboo

earliest known kettledrum

female deity surrounded

called rain drums

Javanese Singasari kingdom

relaxation yoga classes

local organic farming