Goa Lawah is one of the state temples of Klungkung, a small district in eastern Bali.
Legend has it that when Klungkung was ruled from Kusamba, an important Bali port, a Mengwi prince walked 19 miles through the sacred cave to prove he was the descendant of the Mengwi king. Entering is now forbidden.
Goa Lawah is Bali's most sacred temple when it comes to the afterlife. On holy days, the beach in front of Goa Lawah is used for funeral rites by people who have the money to do so.
The long-nose fruit bats hang from Goa Lawah's ceiling. The cave floor is carpeted with bat droppings and bat-stuffed pythons.
At nighttime, the bats leave the cave of Goa Lawah in search of food.
