Six kilometres from Ubud, near the village of Bedulu, the Cave of the Elephant is one of the most fascinating archeological sites of the island. Its name hides a small mystery - in ancient Bali, in fact, there were no elephants. A statue of Ganesh may provide the solution, given that in the Hindu tradition, the god of science and wisdom looks like a pachyderm with a big trunk. According to others, the name of the sanctuary is derived from a nearby river called “Elephants”. Despite the unsolved riddle, Goa Gajah is a must-see for its ancient beauty. The gaping mouth of a demon marks the entrance to the cave near a towering tree, nestled in the jungle - there’s the image of Bhoma, the Hindu God of the Earth and the Witch Rangda, a creature out of Balinese mythology. Figures of animals and spirits guard the entrance, capturing the passions and bad thoughts of pilgrims. Inside, sculpted into some niches, there are the depictions of the principles of lingam and yoni - male and female - as well as some Hindu divinities. Around the cave, there are numerous surprises, too - the pool of the seven fountains dedicated to the rivers of India and the ruins of a Buddhist sanctuary from the VIII Century which must have been similar to the famous temples of Borobudur and Angkor Vat.
Written by Balinese scholar Professor I Made Bandem and American art historian Bruce W. Carpenter, this stunning study of masks as an ancient art form is a richly illustrated book, with over 1000 color images by photographer Doddy Obenk.
Natural pigments & dyes in Balinese traditional crafts
Colors play a vital role in Balinese culture and identity: they are symbolic and their origins are sacred. Traditional Balinese arts and crafts arise from the interconnection between man, the forces of nature and the cosmos, resulting in a divine unity.
Chinese New Year welcomes the arrival of the Year of the Dragon
Although predominantly Hindu, Bali is home to an important Chinese community which on the occasion of the New Year organizes uniquely aesthetic events with a mix of Chinese traditions, Balinese charm and fusion cuisine.