The temple is characterised by menacing faces that are carved into the stone - who's purpose is assumed to be the warding off of evil spirits. The primary figure was once thought to be an elephant, hence the nickname Elephant Cave. Other sources state that it is named after the stone statue of the Hindu God Ganesh (characterised by having the head of an elephant) located inside of the temple. The site is mentioned in the Javanese poem Desawarnana written in 1365. An extensive bathing place on the site was not excavated until the 1950s. To reach the entrance of the cave, you need to walk down a long flight of stairs. There is not an accessible entrance. The inside of the temple is small and usually has trails of white smoke from the incense burning. Visitors wearing shorts will be issued a sarong to tie around the waist before entering the courtyard. The complex also contains 7 statues of women (out of which 1 is destroyed due to earthquake) holding water pitchers that depicts seven holy rivers of India; Ganga river, Sarasvati River, Yamuna river, Godavari River, Sindhu River, Kaveri river and Narmada river.