Jakarta, IO – Gunung Kawi Temple, which is one of the history tourist destinations for local and foreign tourists alike on the Island of the Gods, was once the place where the King of Bali meditated.
Located in Pakraman Tampaksiring Village, this site offers the beauty of a large temple carved out of a cliff east of the Pakerisan River. The temple was estimatedly built around the mid-11th century AD during the reign of Udayana Warmadewa dynasty (1025-1049), per detikTravel, Friday (24/11).
Gunung Kawi Temple consists of a cliff temple and a hermitage niche. I Made Juliarta said that at Gunung Kawi Temple there are 10 temples which are divided into three groups.
In the first temple (from the north) of the group of five temples, there is an inscription in Kadiri Kwadrat script on the temple doorway which reads “haji lumah ing jalu”, meaning “he who is worshiped in Jalu (Pakerisan)”. This temple is thought to be intended to honor King Udayana.
Meanwhile, on the second temple in the group of five temples there is an inscription that also uses the Kadiri Kwadrat script which reads “rwa anak ira”, meaning “two sons of King Udayana who ruled in Bali”, referring to Marakata and Anak Wungsu.
The other three temples in the group of five temples do not have inscriptions so their purpose is unknown. However, it is suspected that the three temples were built for high-ranking officials at the level of prime minister or advisor to the king.
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Then, this group of four temples located on the west bank of the Pakerisan River is thought to be a temple (padharman) dedicated to the four concubines of King Udayana.
Then, one temple or the 10th temple is located on the cliff of Gundul Hill and there are hermitage alcoves. On the temple there is an inscription that reads “rakryān”, associated with the title of a high-ranking court official. (at)