First mentioned in ancient copper inscriptions from the 9th century, Kehen Temple was originally known as Pura Hyang Api, a sacred site dedicated to Agni, the Hindu God of fire. This powerful deity symbolises not just destruction but also renewal and purification, embodying the transformative force of flame. Over the centuries, the temple underwent several name changes as it evolved with the shifting tides of Balinese history and spirituality.

Hidden in a lonely ravine between the Petanu and Pakrisan Rivers, the ruins of this unique 14th-century rock relief lay buried for centuries under volcanic eruptions and vegetation. The site was excavated by Dutch authorities in 1925 and in 1949, a stone gutter was cemented on top in order to drain off water, to prevent erosion and vegetation from taking hold, revealing even more of the stone mural.

Carved into a rugged cliff above the sacred Pakerisan River, this ancient hermitage and unique archaeological site offers a rare glimpse into Bali’s pre Hindu past. Hidden from view, it shelters mysterious megaliths, silent echoes of a time long before Hindu-Buddhist influence shaped the island.