The name Goa Lawah is derived from two words: goa meaning ‘cave’ and lawah meaning ‘bat’. It is important to underline that Hindus visiting Goa Lawah Temple do not worship the bats and cave; they worship God, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa whose manifestation as Dewa Maheswara is believed to reside at Goa Lawah Temple.