Gunung Kawi

A few kilometers south of Tampaksiring on the Gianyar road is a religious site of an unusual type. In the narrow valley of the little river Pakerisan, below Gunung Kawi ("Mountain of Poetry"), are three groups of hermits' cells hewn from the rock, and three other groups of monuments whose date and function were for many years a mystery.Various inscriptions, however, indicate that Anak Wungsu, at one time ruler of much of Bali, was venerated here together with his four wives and four concubines (who according to the legend committed suttee after his death). On this basis it appears that the complex was established in the 11th century, either in Anak's lifetime or soon after his death.It was formerly believed, on the evidence of ashes found on the site, that the candis decorated with reliefs were the tombs of princes and princesses of divine status. Intensive research has shown this theory to be untenable, for closer examination of the ashes indicated that in all probability they came from the bones of animals sacrificed here to the spirits of the underworld.Following the narrow path which runs down to the site from Tampaksiring, visitors first encounter a group of four monuments (perhaps for Anak's four concubines?). On the other bank of the stream, which here flows through scenery of particular beauty, is a further complex of buildings. To the left is a group of five monuments, one of which, higher than the others, may possibly be that of Anak Wungsu. To the right is a group of monks' cells known as the First Monastery, in the center of which is a monolith of unknown significance. Farther down the gorge of the Pakerisan is a tenth monument (perhaps for a high official of Anak's court?). Above the east bank of the river and to the south of the tenth monument are two other groups of cells hewn from the rock, the Second and Third Monasteries.