"Elephant Cave"
Expressive faces carved into stone mark the literal mouth to Goa Gajah, or the Elephant Cave, near Ubud, Bali. This Hindu temple was created as a place of sanctuary and meditation for monks.
In front of the cave, there are two bathing pools each with three sculptures of female figures pouring water. Unlike the demons guarding the cave entrance, the women of the bath have been carved with attention to naturalism in their proportions and facial expressions. In sharp contrast to the calm, human faces of the women pouring water, the demons at Goa Gajah's entrance stare menacingly with disproportionately large eyes wide and teeth bared. It is thought that the cave's entrance was designed to frighten evil spirits and ward them off.
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