When we are talking about Bali, we may not skip the talk about Balinese temple, especially this temple called Pura Gunung Kawi. What makes this temple different than the other temples in Bali?
Because it is cool, that is why
Temples are always beautiful everywhere in the world. They are places where religious happenings processions and happenings happen, after all, so less than stellar-looking should always be avoided when possible. Sure there are many other beautiful temples out there, but this one takes the icing off the cake when it comes to coolness. You can find temples surrounded by the lake in the form of Pura Ulun Danu, but have you ever seen a Pura surrounded by rice fields? Yes, there are other places that are more interesting in Bali other than this one, but you can be sure that your visit to Pura Gunung Kawi will be a visit to remember. Gunung Kawi is seen as Bali’s valley of the kings, and that is cool as heck. Surely a temple in the valley of the kings will have many stories to uncover
Let us talk about the history
For starters, this temple is a Hindu Temple, so Hindu people of yore would pray over this place back then. Made in the 11th century, this is one of the oldest places in Bali, and if you take a brief look at the pics, surely you will understand why. Vegetation grows around the temple, with moss and vines taking their spotlight around it. This gives the temple an ancient look, much like those temples you can find in tomb raiding movies. While this temple was made back in the 11th century, Dutchies rediscovered this place in 1920, which was the time when this temple was starting to be studied. There are still many things to discover about this place, and many told me that researchers have only scratched the surface of this temple. You can be sure that there are stories to be unfolded in this temple, and if you are lucky, you might be the one to do so.
Location, transportation, and ticket price
Located in Gunung Kawi complex, you need to do some traveling to reach this place. It is located 40 kilometers from Denpasar, which is not a short distance at all. The taxi can cost you up to Rp 150,000, but if you want to find a cheaper alternative, you can rent a scooter or go by bemo (which is a motorcycle/car hybrid over here).
Finding this place is not as hard as it seems. This place might be surrounded by greens and all, and you might find it hard to find the temple amidst the rice fields and the long trip. If you want to put a bit more heart on your trip, however, your eyes will be treated with something good.
Simply put, this temple entrance fee is somewhat higher when compared to other temples available to visit. You need to pay Rp 15,000 per person, so yes it is more expensive than temples like Taman Ayun or the others. However, that price should not be a jarring price for someone who is thirsty for the beauty of Pura Gunung Kawi.
