Many people come to the Indonesian island of Bali to expand their spiritual horizons. After all, the island paradise attracts not only with its breathtakingly beautiful beaches, the lush green rice terraces and the wonderful hospitality of the locals.
Bali also has a lot to offer culturally. Those who are looking for a particularly idyllic environment and also want to be addressed spiritually, should definitely visit the royal tombs Gunung Kawi. These are undoubtedly among the most impressive and important sights on the island, which is why they should not be missed.
Where are the royal tombs Gunung Kawi located?
The royal tombs of Gunung Kawi are located north of Ubud in a valley through which the Pakerisan River flows. The tombs are located in the small village of Tampaksiring. In the immediate vicinity is also the temple Tirta Empul. Also, due to the favorable location, a trip to Gunung Kawi can be ideally combined with a visit to the rice terraces in Tegalalang, as they are located directly on the route. Nearby is also the elephant cave Goa Gajah.
Gunung Kawi is particularly easy to reach from Ubud in the highlands of Bali. From this cultural center of the island, the royal tombs are only about 15 kilometers away. Depending on the traffic situation, the journey takes between 30 and 45 minutes.
It therefore makes sense to take a scooter or a cab to the royal tombs. In addition, of course, numerous guided tours to the sight are offered from Ubud and other places.
The site of Gunung Kawi
Arriving at Gunung Kawi, there is a parking lot above the river. The royal tombs are located below and can be reached by a long flight of stairs. The tombs are arranged in groups on both sides of the river. The site includes a total of nine rocky niches where the tombs are located, with a height of over seven meters.
Tombs on both sides of the river
After descending the stairs, one can walk in two directions. The first four shrines or tombs are on the left side. On the right side there is a bridge that allows to cross the river. The tombs on the left are dedicated to the family members who did not have too much influence.
On the opposite bank, the most important royal tombs can be admired. Here are five monoliths in the typical Meru shape. At the same time there are special niches decorated with round arches. A legend says that these were scratched into the rocks by the nails of the giant Kebo Iwo.
In the immediate vicinity of the monoliths you can also discover an old monk’s hermitage. The visit is also worthwhile, as it represents a piece of the early history of Bali. The monk’s hermitage may only be entered barefoot.
In honor of the royal family
The tombs and shrines that can be visited at Gunung Kawi have their origins in the 11th century. They were built in honor of the family of King Anak Wungsu, who reigned in the 10th century – more specifically for his father, King Udayana, his mother Mahendradatta, and his siblings Marakata and Airlanga.
However, the tombs do not contain the mortal remains of the family. Thus, they do not represent tombs in the true sense, but rather impressive memorial stones.
A temple must not be missing
On the site of the royal tombs is also the temple Gunung Kawi, which gives the site its name. Here not only the faithful Balinese have access, but also tourists. Incidentally, the Gunung Kawi royal tombs are often called Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring – Tampaksiring is the village in which the tombs are located.
For a long time the royal tombs were forgotten. It was not until 1920 that they were rediscovered. How exactly the graves were built can only be assumed, because exact details have not been handed down. However, it is certain that the royal tombs themselves and also the paradisiacal landscape in which they are embedded are worth a visit.
The best time to visit Gunung Kawi
Ideally, one should visit Gunung Kawi in the late afternoon or already in the early morning hours. At these times there is not too much heat and also the light hits the rocky niches particularly beautifully.
Most tourists visit the site around noon, so that outside the rush hours there is the possibility to enjoy the spiritual and unique atmosphere in peace and away from the large crowds of tourists. You should plan around 1.5 to two hours to visit the site. This time is sufficient to explore Gunung Kawi in detail.
Royal tombs amidst idyllic scenery
However, not only the royal tombs themselves are extremely attractive, but also the landscape that surrounds them. It is therefore worthwhile to take a walk over the rice terraces after the visit and to be captivated by this very special scenery.
Conclusion: Is a visit to Gunung Kawi worthwhile?
The tombs incl. temple embedded in a beautiful landscape are definitely worth a visit. The lush greenery creates an enchanted atmosphere around the historical site and invites you to a special excursion in a natural environment. The elaborately carved into the rock and richly decorated tombs are partly heavily weathered and thus radiate a mystical magic. If you are in the mood for historical-cultural monuments and plenty of nature, you should not miss the Gunung Kawi site.
