Gunung Kawi, 11th-century temple complex in Tampaksiring, Indonesia
The temple features ten rock-cut shrines carved into 7-meter-high niches along both sides of the Pakerisan river valley.
The architectural complex was constructed during the reign of King Anak Wungsu around 1077 AD as a series of monuments for the royal family.
The eastern side contains five temples dedicated to King Udayana, Queen Mahendradatta, and their sons, while the western shrines honor minor queens.
Visitors need to descend more than 300 stairs to reach the temple grounds and must wear traditional sarongs provided at the entrance.
An inscription carved on the north shrine reveals the text 'Haji Lumahing Jalu,' indicating the king's direct involvement in the temple's creation.
Location: Tampaksiring
Address: br penaka, H8G6+QWG, Tampaksiring, Kec. Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80552, Indonesia 80552
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 08:00-18:00
GPS coordinates: -8.42260,115.31261
Latest update: May 27, 2025 07:16
The Indonesian temples from the 8th to 14th centuries display Buddhist and Hindu architecture of the Mataram and Singhasari kingdoms. The stone structures carry reliefs, sculptures, and religious symbols depicting deities such as Shiva, Buddha, and Vishnu. The complexes are located mainly on Java and Bali, where rice fields and volcanoes shape the landscape. Borobudur near Magelang forms the largest Buddhist temple in the region with nine levels and 2,672 relief panels. Prambanan in Klaten rises with 157-foot (47-meter) towers as Java's most important Hindu sanctuary. The Gedong Songo temples near Semarang stand at 3,900 feet (1,200 meters) elevation between sulfur vents and volcanic cones. Gunung Kawi near Tampaksiring on Bali shows 33-foot (10-meter) rock-cut shrines from the 11th century. Sukuh and Ceto on the slopes of Lawu present unusual pyramid forms. Plaosan, Kalasan, and Sari near Yogyakarta combine Buddhist and Hindu elements. The Dieng temples document early Hindu architecture of the 8th century as the oldest surviving structures on Java.
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