Information
Landmark: Besakih TempleCity: Bali
Country: Indonesia
Continent: Asia
Besakih Temple, Bali, Indonesia, Asia
Overview
Perched high on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali, Besakih Temple-known locally as Pura Besakih-is the island’s largest and most sacred temple complex.Known as Bali’s “Mother Temple,” Besakih rises from the slopes of Mount Agung, carrying deep cultural, spiritual, and historical meaning for the Balinese people.The temple draws pilgrims from across the island and stands as a living emblem of Bali’s centuries-old Hindu traditions, its stone steps warm under the midday sun.For more than a thousand years, Pura Besakih has stood as the heart of Balinese Hindu worship, its stone steps worn smooth by countless pilgrims.People believe the temple complex rose in the 11th century, though its roots might stretch further back, perhaps to when the first stones were worn smooth by centuries of wind.Over the centuries, it’s grown and changed-stone courtyards added, carvings refreshed-becoming a powerful symbol of Hinduism’s journey in Bali.Perched high on the slopes of Mount Agung, Besakih is known as Bali’s Mother Temple and revered as the island’s most sacred place of worship.It’s the heart of Bali’s Hindu faith, dedicated to Sanghyang Widi Wasa-the supreme god-seen as the One God in Balinese Hinduism.The temple complex honors other deities too, drawing worshippers from many branches of the Balinese Hindu community, their offerings of marigolds bright against the stone.Mount Agung Connection: Perched high on the mountain’s slopes, the temple carries deep symbolic meaning, like a sentinel watching over the island.In Balinese Hindu belief, Mount Agung is home to the gods, its mist-shrouded peak rising like a sacred watchtower over the island.People believe the temple complex reflects the bond between heaven and earth, its shrines rising step by step from the shaded lower courtyards to the bright, wind-swept summit.Tied to Mount Agung, the temple holds even greater meaning-it’s seen as the very shape of Bali’s sacred energy, like the mountain’s breath rising in the morning air.The Besakih Temple complex rises in tiers up the mountainside, its 23 temples scattered across six distinct levels, with stone steps worn smooth by centuries of footsteps.At the heart of the complex stands Pura Penataran Agung, devoted to the Tri Murti-the three central gods of Hinduism: Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer-where incense curls into the warm air.Pura Penataran Agung is the heart of the complex, with a wide stone courtyard where most ceremonies and daily worship unfold.The temple rises like a masterpiece, its gates carved with delicate patterns, statues standing watch, and shrines glowing in the soft light.The temple’s design reflects the meeting of humans and gods, its tiers rising step by step like the stacked layers of the universe, from the broad stone base to the highest, wind-swept platform.Pura Kiduling Kreteg stands out in the complex, its stone steps leading to a shrine devoted to Lord Vishnu, the god who preserves and protects.This temple holds deep spiritual significance, where incense drifts through the air during ceremonies and offerings.Pura Batu Madeg honors Lord Shiva and carries a deep sense of history, its dark stone walls weathered by centuries of sea air.Balinese Hindus come here to worship, especially when they’re seeking spiritual cleansing and guidance.The sound of flowing water greets them at the entrance.Pura Dalem honors Lord Shiva’s fierce, destructive side and remains central to the community’s spiritual life, where offerings of incense curl into the evening air.Pura Jaga Ratu, a small shrine perched at the highest point of the complex, honors Sanghyang Widi Wasa, the Supreme Being.At Besakih Temple, the year is filled with religious ceremonies, from small incense-filled rituals to vibrant festivals that draw pilgrims from nearby villages and distant regions.In Besakih, one of the biggest celebrations is Odalan, the temple’s anniversary, when villagers bring bright flower offerings and perform sacred rituals to honor the gods.Pilgrims from across Bali and even farther away make their way to Besakih, carrying flowers or incense, to join the ceremonies and offer their prayers.The Annual Melasti Ceremony is one of Bali’s most sacred traditions, held each year before Nyepi, the Day of Silence, when worshippers in bright sarongs walk in long, winding processions to Pura Besakih for a ritual cleansing.During Melasti, villagers carry sacred statues and temple ornaments down to the temple to be cleansed and blessed.In Balinese Hinduism, puja is an act of worship, and at Besakih temple devotees light incense, lay out flowers, and pray to invite the gods, offer gifts, and ask for blessings.The prayers center on keeping peace with nature and honoring the divine, like listening to wind moving softly through the trees.Trekking here rewards you with a temple nestled in lush greenery, where the sharp outline of Mount Agung-the tallest peak in Bali-rises against the sky.From the temple complex, visitors can take in wide, rolling views of green hills, quiet valleys, and rice terraces that glint in the sun.Perched on the mountainside, the temple gives visitors a front‑row view of Bali’s lush hills and drifting mist.Trekking: Some visitors make the steep, high climb to the temple, pausing to catch their breath as the trail rises sharply above the valley.Many people drive straight to the Pura Besakih complex, but if you want the full experience, you can set out on a trek from a nearby village, where the scent of wood smoke hangs in the morning air.The trek to the temple winds through shady forests, golden rice fields, and quiet Balinese villages, offering a glimpse of the island’s simple, rural beauty.You’ll find Besakih Temple in Karangasem Regency, perched on the eastern slopes of Mount Agung, roughly a 2.5–3 hour drive from Denpasar, Bali’s capital, with small roadside stalls selling fruit along the way; it’s open daily from about 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.You’re free to enter the temple complex anytime it’s open, but go early if you want to skip the midday crush of tour groups and the smell of incense hanging thick in the air.Admission to Besakih Temple costs about IDR 60,000, or roughly four U. S. dollars.Visitors may need to pay a small parking fee or make a donation to help maintain the temple’s grounds.Since Besakih is sacred, wear modest clothing-long pants or a sarong are a good choice.You can rent a sarong-a length of bright, patterned cloth-right at the entrance, and wearing one is a simple way to honor the temple’s religious importance.Inside, local guides are on hand to share stories about its history, spiritual meaning, and the rituals that fill its courtyards.It’s worth hiring a guide if you want to truly grasp the temple’s cultural significance-someone who can point out, for instance, the faint carvings worn smooth by centuries of touch.At Besakih, remember it’s a living place of worship, so follow local customs and steer clear of anything that might disturb the peace.Please keep quiet during ceremonies, when even the sound of footsteps can seem loud.The temple’s considered safe, but it’s still wise to keep your bag close and never leave it behind.Just a half-hour’s drive away, you’ll find Tirta Gangga, a stunning water palace with shimmering pools and carved stone fountains.The palace has shimmering artificial lakes, cool mist drifting from fountains, and tall stone terraces that catch the afternoon sun.
