Bali - Monkey Forest Ubud

Bali - Monkey Forest Ubud

Monkey Forest in Ubud represents a sacred Balinese Hindu site. In trying to understand Balinese Hinduism it is important to keep in mind that Balinese Hinduism is unlike Hinduism practiced in other parts of the world today. Balinese Hinduism combines aspects of Animism, Ancestor Worship, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

Some of the first evidence of extensive human in-habitation on Bali dates back to approximately 2,500 B.C. The religion of the Bali Aga (original Balinese) centered around both Animism and Ancestor Worship. Ancestor Worship represents the belief that prosperity is associated with a relationship that exists between the living and the dead (prosperity is something that can only be achieved through intense worship and obtainment of blessings from ancestors). Animism represents the belief that inanimate objects and other elements of the natural landscape can possess souls which can help as well as hinder human efforts on Earth.

It remains a mystery as to whether or not the Bali Aga ever inhabited the site that is now known as the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal. Currently, there are only a few remaining Bali Aga villages on Bali and none of them are located in the vicinity of the Sacred Monkey Forest. However, today many Balinese believe that ravines and forested areas are particularly notorious for harboring human and animal spirits. These beliefs probably originated from the Bali Aga and suggest that the Bali Aga may have considered sites like Monkey Forest to be sacred.

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Bali - Goa Garba

Bali - Goa Garba

Goa Garba may be unfamiliar to many visitors and tourists to Bali. The place is not as popular as Goa Gajah, the elephant cave, or Gunung Kawi archaeological site in Gianyar.

Yet, Goa Garba is one of the most important historical sites on the island. It is believed to contain the historical remains of Kebo Iwa, the prime minister of the ancient Bedahulu kingdom. Goa Garba is located in Banjar Sawagunung in Pejeng Kelod, in the Tampaksiring district of Gianyar regency, around 40-minutes drive from Denpasar.

Goa Garba is part of the Jaga Pengukur-Ukuran major temple, believed to have been built in 1116, during the reign of king Jaya Pangus. Many people believe that the temple is where Kebo Iwa practiced his war skills, having had to go through a series of challenges before he obtained his physical and spiritual powers. During the training, he defeated his opponents, leaving their bodies on the ground. This is why the village was named Sawagunung. Sawa means dead bodies and gunung means mountain. This historical account of Kebo Iwa has resulted in Goa Garba becoming popular with people who want to gain physical and mental powers.

There are two routes to enter Goa Garba. The first is entering the temple heading to the back yard and descending to reach the cave. The steps are made of natural stone, believed to have been put in place by Kebo Iwa. The second route is taken from the south and does not require visitors to enter the temple’s interior. There are two water springs, Petirtaan Telaga Waja, used to cleanse the temple during temple celebrations. On the way to the cave, there are several hollowed outsites, usually used for meditation.
There are also old inscriptions with writings that are not fully understood even today.
Many people find visiting Goa Garba to be a spiritually enlightening time.

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