Goa Lawah, or the Bali Bat Cave, is a significant cultural and spiritual site in Bali, Indonesia. This temple is one of the island's key nine directional temples, serving as a protector against dark spirits from the ocean. Established in the 11th century by Mpu Kuturan, a priest who laid the foundations of Hinduism on the island, the temple complex is built around a cave that houses thousands of bats. It's not just a tourist attraction but also a place of worship where locals come for prayers, especially during the temple's anniversary based on the Balinese 210-day Pawukon calendar.