Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah), Ubud: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Goa Gajah, the Elephant Cave, is a 9th-century archaeological site in the village of Bedulu, 6 kilometers southeast of Ubud, Bali. The cave entrance is carved into a rock face as the gaping mouth of a demon or earth guardian, flanked by carved vegetation and animal figures. Inside, the T-shaped cave contains a statue of Ganesha and a set of lingams. The courtyard holds two bathing pools fed by water spouts in the form of female figures, unearthed in the 1950s. Hindu and Buddhist artifacts suggest the site served both traditions. is just one of many options in Ubud. Major attractions worth considering include Besakih Temple (Pura Besakih), Lake Batur (Danau Batur), and Mt. Batur (Gunung Batur).