Source: Jakarta Post
BALI, INDONESIA, June 6, 2002: Bali is a land rich in culture and archaeological remains, which provides a clue to the island’s ancient civilization. One of the most comprehensive and important archaeological sites worth visiting is Pakerisan and Petanu riverbank areas in Gianyar, 40 kilometers northeast of Nusa Dua. The area is now being promoted by the Indonesian government to be included as a World Heritage Site designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The riverbanks are full of evidence of prehistoric monuments — holy temples, old caves, reliefs, tombs and other important archaeological remains — revealing hidden clues of ancient Balinese kingdoms and the dissemination of Hinduism and Buddhism in Bali. A short walk from Pakerisan river is one of the oldest caves called Goa Gajah, or the elephant cave, which has an amazing stone carving portraying an image of an elephant head. The cave’s entrance is decorated by sumptuous figures of elephant faces. Inside, there is a centuries-old statue of Ganesha, son of Hindu’s god of Siva. Gunung Kawi in Tampak Siring, north of Pejeng, is another significant site, which was known as the Valley of the Kings. Tucked into deep, 23-foot high niches in the cliffs are candi, temple facades with false doors leading to the “other world.” The Water Palace in Klungkung, East Bali, home of Bali’s most powerful kingdom, was most probably inspired by the formal palaces and temple water gardens in Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Thailand. Many water palace complexes are thought to represent the holy Mount Meru of Hindu cosmology.