Panorama showing the outer courtyard of Goa Lawah temple in Bali. The courtyard is well kept, with grass areas, walkways and a pleasant fountain in the middle.

Goa Lawah Temple Outer Court - Bali visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Goa Lawah Temple Outer Court' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Lesser Sunda Islands.

Goa Lawah Temple is a Hindu temple and major tourist attraction in Bali. The temple here houses a cave full of bats, and is therefore also known as Pura Goa Lawah (Bat Cave Temple). To get to the bat cave you must go through the middle courtyard and ascend steps to the temple itself.

Goa Lawah Temple is thought to be about 1000 years old. The legend associated with the temple states that while the kingdom of Klungkung was ruled from Kusamba, a Mengwi prince hid with the bat cave and then followed the tunnel system to emerge 30km north on the slopes of Mt. Agung Vocano at Pura Besakih (Besakih Temple). It is also said that a gaint dragon-like snake lives in the caves and feeds on the bats, which may explain why no-one has since been tempted to repeat the feat.

As a result, the cave and bats became venerated, with Goa Lawah temple becoming the most important temple in Bali for matters to do with the afterlife. On holy days thousands of people gather here for ceremonies and will cast offerings and other artifacts into the sea of the shore of Goa Lawah Beach.

Goa Lawah temple is one of six Sad-Kahyangan, or State Temples, in Bali. These ancient historical sites are important to the Balinese as they are said to protect the whole island. The other Sad Kahyagan temples on Bali are Pura Besakih, Pura Uluwatu, Pura Lempuyang Luhur, Pura Batukau, and Pura Pulaki.

A few miles south of Goa Lawah, on Watu Klotok Beach, is Pura Watu Klotok temple.

Car: Pura Goa Laway is next to Wates Village about 50km from Denpasar and 7 km from Pedang Bai, on the border between Klungkung and Karangasem kingdoms.