Gunung Kawi Temple

The pakerisan river ends through the valley of Tampak Siring, 40 Km from denpasar city and passes many historic monument of by old ages. At Gunung Kawi have an acces road leads to the river, via a large archway and 315 steps that wind down into the valley. The origin name of “Gunung Kawi” is not known, but “Gunung” means mountain and “Kawi” means poetry. Poetry in Bali is generally the reciting of the old historic tale, so this “mountain” most likely refers to depth of history behind the ancient stone carving in the river side cliffs. Bali’s golden history was during the Warmadewa Dynasty, when strong links were formed with java. The Raja Udayana married a Javanese princess, known as Gunapriya Dharma Patni. From this married they have sons Erlangga and Anak Wungsu. When Erlangga died in year 1041, the raja Dom of east java are divided in two. A buddhist priest known as Empu Kuturan refused the royal mandate. Bali was ruled by the Raja Anak Wungsu from 1049 to 1077, and under his rule Bali was prosperous and peaceful. After death of Anak Wungsu his ashes were stored in one of the shrines at Gunung Kawi. Above the entrance to this shrines is the engraving ” Haji Lumah Ing Jalu” the raja is entombed at Jalu, “Jalu” is the spur of the fighting cock shaped much the same as the kris or dagger. ” Ing Jalu” can be translated as Kali Kris, which means the pakerisan River. Opposite the group of shrines, which left side from the temple, is a series of caves hew out of rock, a monastery for Buddhist priest dating back t the 11 th century. The Giant carved monuments, which look over the river were supposed to have been carved out of the rock by magic powers : Kebo Iwa is said to have used only his finger nail to sculpt three grand monument to an era of spiritual giants

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