The Maospahit Temple, an artifact of ancient Balinese civilization, stands as a testament to the island's rich history. As per the Purana Tattwa Pura Maospahit lontar—an ancient Balinese manuscript housed in Griya Kekeran, Blahbatuh—the temple was initially established by the renowned regent, Patih Ki Kebo Iwa, around the year Isaka 1200 or 1278 AD. During his travels through villages like Bualu, Pecatu, Tugaling Pring, and Kalijajuan, Ki Kebo Iwa took a moment before heading to Kapal to establish the Parahyangan Candi Raras Maospahit.
Believed to be the earliest structure within the temple complex, Candi Raras Maospahit derives its name from interesting roots. The term 'Maos' is postulated to originate from 'mawos,' denoting a fruit-bearing tree, aligning with 'maja,' another term for a type of fruit. Yet, an alternative interpretation suggests 'Maospahit' stems from 'maos,' meaning to speak, and 'pahit,' indicating difficulties or problems. This explanation pays homage to the temple's historical function, where challenging kingdom issues were debated and resolved.
A study conducted by the Classical Art and Culture Excavation Project in 1980–1981, with its findings published in the Inventory of Temples and Historical Places for the Rerouting of Bali's Regional Tourism, identified the Maospahit Temple as a key temple of the ancient Badung Kingdom.
In contemporary times, the Maospahit Temple is maintained by a large collective of temple caretakers, composed of roughly 30 families. The Pujawali, a ceremony commemorating the temple's establishment, is held biannually. The first celebration occurs during Purnama Kapat, the full moon of the fourth month in the Balinese calendar (around October), and the second during Purnama Kadasa, the full moon of the tenth month (approximately in March).
