The pura besakih complex takes advantage of them. Besakih Temple from the word “demon”, or The most unpleasant impression of Bali. This triad includes

The exact date of construction of Pura Besakih is unknown, although it is believed that it was built more than 1,000 years ago. Mount Agung, on which it is located, has long been revered by the Balinese as one of the 4 sacred peaks and as the habitat of the god Shiva. Finally, according to ancient beliefs, it is here that the axis of the world passes, around which the entire universe revolves.

Scientists say that some of the stone structures of the temple are about 2,000 years old, while others were built much later. It is quite possible that in ancient times the current complex was built on the site of an earlier sanctuary. The first mention of Pura Besakih dates back to 1284, and the manuscript speaks of it as a long-existing shrine. There are also several versions that temple complex could have been founded by a wandering monk in the 8th century or by Raja Kesari in the early 10th century.

Since many chronicles contain information about donations to the temple from Balinese kings and nobles, most likely, the complex was constantly being completed from century to century. For example, it is known that the central part of Agung Panataran, dedicated to Shiva, was built in the 17th century.

In 1917, Pura Besakih suffered during the eruption of Mount Batur, a formidable neighbor. sacred mountain Agung (there is only a small valley between them). And in 1963, Agung itself, which is also a volcano, emitted lava flows. However, this time the Indonesian gods spared the temple - the deadly stream passed just a few meters from it. Of course, such an event further convinced the Balinese of the sanctity of these places. Later, the volcano was still active in 2017 and 2018, but, fortunately, it did not lead to a full-fledged eruption.

How to get there

The Pura Besakih Temple is located near the village of the same name in the eastern part of the island. The nearest town is Klungkung, which is located at a distance of about 20 km.

Since public transport in, and especially in Bali, is poorly developed, many tourists prefer to travel by taxi or rent a bike. In this case, it will not be difficult for you to get to the village of Besakikh using a map or GPS navigator.

Coordinates: -8.37435, 115.450804.

Address: Pura Besakih, Rendang, Bali, 80871.

But let’s consider all the possibilities of getting to the Pura Besakih temple:

• By bus - from the Batubulan terminal, which is 8 km from Denpasar, there are regular buses to the eastern part of the island;
• By personal transport or by taxi - you will need to cover about 63 km, heading east through the town of Semarapura to the signs for the temple.

Another way to travel around Bali is by hitchhiking, and quite a few tourists get to Pura Besakih this way.

If you decide to visit the Indonesian shrine as part of an excursion group, you will be taken to the parking lot, which is located about 1 km from the destination. Therefore, part of the journey will have to be done on foot in any case.

Besakih Temple on the map

Inside the temple

As already mentioned, the Pura Besakih temple complex includes 23 sanctuaries. Of these, three are the largest and most important - these are Penataran Agung, Batu Madeg and Kiduling Kreteg, dedicated to the gods Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, respectively. In general, the territory of the complex occupies more than 3 km, rising in steps.

The Penataran Agung Shiva Temple is in the center, with Kiduling Kreteg to the east and Batu Madeg to the west. Interestingly, today the funding for each of them is carried out by three different districts of Bali.

The largest and most interesting temple in Pura Besakih is considered to be the Shiva Temple. It consists of three courtyards, which can be passed one after the other, passing several gates.

First yard(“the world of people”) - it is considered the least important, intended for preparation for religious rites and visiting the next levels of the temple. A central staircase of 52 steps leads here, decorated with stone statues of mythological creatures. On holidays, each statue is covered with a sarong - a bright Indonesian “skirt”. At the end of the staircase there is a Chandi Bentar gate - it is an arch split in the upper part, and this shape was not chosen by chance. According to Balinese beliefs, this opening in the arch is needed so that nothing interferes with a person’s interaction with higher powers.

Second yard(“border world”) - this part of Pura Besakih can be reached through the next gate, passing the first courtyard. The Balinese are convinced that it is here that deities descend upon ordinary people during ceremonies and rituals. Therefore, all Bali residents heading to the temple bring gifts here to lay them at the altars and whisper a prayer. In an open-air pavilion located here, believers can linger to meditate and communicate with higher powers, while families wait for the cremation to complete during a Hindu funeral.

Third courtyard(“world of the deities”) is the uppermost section of the temple, where visitors also climb the stairs. On several terraces of this courtyard, multi-tiered pagoda towers were built - each for a specific deity. By the number of tiers, you can guess for whom exactly the “dwelling” is intended. Thus, the towers of Shiva and the fertility goddess Dewi Sri, especially beloved by the Balinese, have 11 tiers each, while the tower of Vishnu has only 9, although this also indicates high respect. The smallest turrets have only 3 tiers. By the way, chronicles and other historical documents have been kept in one of these pagodas for a long time, but excursions are not held there.

During the holidays, the entire area of ​​the Pura Besakih temple is decorated with flowers, colorful umbrellas and pieces of fabric. Traditionally, jewelry is dominated by four colors: white to honor Shiva, red to honor Brahma, black to worship Vishnu, and yellow. In just a year, up to 70 major religious ceremonies take place here, and getting to one of them is a great success for a tourist. At this time, you can see the temple in all its glory, listen to the local orchestra and touch the mysterious culture of the Hindu Balinese.

One of the main such holidays is Galungan, or the day of “victory of good over evil” - lasts for 10 days and is accompanied by many interesting events. This best time to visit a tropical island, because not only the temples, but the whole of Bali is transformed these days (much like before Christmas).

Excursions

To visit the Pura Besakih temple complex, you can consider the following options:

• Book an excursion at one of the travel agencies;
• Use the services of a local driver-guide with a car;
• Get to the temple on your own and go to explore it.

It’s worth saying right away that independent visits are allowed, although it is quite possible that they will try to convince you otherwise. Local “guides” who meet tourists at the central staircase or at the entrance will especially try, but we’ll tell you how to get rid of their intrusive service a little lower.

Rules for visiting Pura Besakih:

• All visitors are required to wear a sarong;
• Entry into the pagoda-sanctuaries is prohibited for tourists;
• Photos can be taken on the territory of the temple complex without restrictions.

You can bring your own sarongs, buy them on site or rent them. Keep in mind that there will be many sellers, and you should not agree to the first price offered - be sure to negotiate. Experienced tourists also recommend not to believe assurances in the spirit of “you won’t find it cheaper” and “they won’t sell it anymore.”

The entrance price to the temple territory is 60,000 Indonesian rupees (about 250 rubles).

The ticket office is open from 08:00 to 17:00 (but the complex itself is open around the clock).

Be sure to ask for a ticket, even if you are asked to enter without one. Tickets are not always checked inside, but it is better to avoid unpleasant surprises. Moreover, it may also be the case that not all of the “inspectors” will turn out to be temple employees - there are plenty of people here who want to deceive an inexperienced tourist and extract some more money from him.

The easiest way to move around the temple complex is accompanied by a local resident. In this case, it is less likely that sellers of various goods and services will pester you every now and then. However, those who know how to say a firm “no” can do just fine without local escorts.

You can go to Pura Besakih as part of an excursion group - this will save you from many worries (for example, you won’t have to think about how to get here and go back). Also in this case it is much easier to navigate the vast territory of the temple complex. But, of course, the cost of the excursion will be higher than the cost of visiting on your own.

• If you decide to get to the Pura Besakih Temple on your own by bike or car, be sure to take a navigator with you. There are road signs in Bali, but you shouldn’t count on them being regular. It will be problematic to talk with local residents without knowing the language - many in the villages do not even understand English, let alone Russian. You can count on a conversation only with those Balinese whose activities are in one way or another connected with tourists.
• You should not agree to the services of local “guides” who offer their accompaniment at the entrance to the temple. Firstly, they lie by saying that you will not be able to go beyond the first courtyard without an escort. And secondly, such “guides” will not conduct a full-fledged excursion, and this has been verified more than once by many tourists.
• There is a little trick on how to avoid intrusive pestering and assurances that you cannot get through without a guide: enter Pura Besakih not from the main entrance, but from one of the side staircases. Almost all sellers of services, sarongs and various small items “hunt” tourists at the central staircase of the Penataran Agung Shiva Temple. But there are a couple more entrances to the right and left of it - that’s where you need to go.

• Take with you a sarong - a regular rectangle of fabric that can be wrapped around your waist like a skirt. That way, you won't have to overpay for this must-have item of clothing. By the way, you will also need sarongs to visit other sacred places in Bali, if they are included in your excursion program.
• Try to get to the temple complex in the morning, because around lunchtime it gets crowded due to the abundance of tourists. And in the afternoon, Pura Besakih, located at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level, can be covered with fog. It also doesn’t hurt to take raincoats or umbrellas with you - it often doesn’t just rain here, but real tropical downpours.
• If you don’t mind getting up early, you can come to the temple at dawn and go inside completely free of charge (there will simply be no one to stop you). Some tourists do this, it is only important not to go out through the central gate, so as not to catch the eye of the ticket office employee.

Despite all the nuances and surprises that a tourist can expect in Pura Besakih, this place is one of those must-see attractions in Bali. The mountain temple complex amazes with its grandeur, rising from terrace to terrace higher and higher. And from the top platform of the temple there are such views of the island that it is simply impossible to leave without a dozen photos! If you manage to get to Pura Besakih during one of the Balinese holidays, you can touch the real life of Bali, its living “non-tourist” culture and look at what is happening through the eyes of the islanders.

Fabulous Bali is a religious island. There are much more holy places and churches here than residential buildings: almost every village on the island has at least three temples. Moreover, each local dwelling has its own home altar. Basically, it is located in the courtyard of the house, but if the territory of the latter is small, then the altar is erected on the roof of a residential building.

One of the main temples in Bali is the legendary Pura Besakih Temple on the northwestern side of Mount Agung - the largest point of the island, at 3142 meters high. This elevation is located in the eastern part of the Indonesian island and is considered the abode of the powerful Batara Mahadeva - the true incarnation of the supreme multi-armed Hindu deity Shiva. It is believed that it is in this place of the earth that the so-called “Axis Mundi” is located, which, according to ancient legend, is the center of rotation of the universe. In addition to the volcano, there are three more sacred peaks on the island of Bali - Abang, Batur and Batukaru.

The Pura Besakih Temple appeared on the island more than 1 thousand years ago. The first mention of this sacred place can be found in old documents dating back to 1284. But these written references do not relate to the construction of the temple, but to the activities of the existing facility. Therefore, the question of when exactly Pura Besakih was built still remains open.

Many scientists say that some stone buildings on the territory of the complex are about 2 thousand years old. Others, in their opinion, were erected much later. The Balinese have their own versions of the origin of the temple complex. According to one legend, a certain wanderer monk was involved in the creation of the temple in the 8th century. According to another, this was the initiative of Raja Kesari in the 10th century. But today there is no documentary evidence of these facts.

Since the 11th century, there has been no mention of the Pura Besakih complex in any written chronicle. It was only in the 15th century, when the central part of the island became a political center, that records of Pura Besakih began to appear again in various documents. For example, in one chronicle there is a documentary note that this Holy place considered a state temple.

One of the most important events in the history of the temple complex is the eruption of Mount Agung in 1917, which led to its complete destruction. The restoration of the temple after the tragedy was carried out by residents of all regions of the island. They literally collected it bit by bit.

The next similar eruption occurred in the spring of 1693. At this time of year, local residents gathered to celebrate the once-in-a-century festival of harmony - Eka Dasa Rudra. It is noteworthy that some time before this, local residents noted an increase in temperature regime soil at the foot of the volcano. The clergy began to say that this phenomenon was a manifestation of God’s wrath, and the festive ceremony should be postponed. However, no one listened to their opinion.

The volcanic crater exploded on March 18, 1963. Lava flows descended the slopes of the mountain and burned almost everything that came in their way. As a result of the magma eruption, more than 1.7 thousand people died, and many Balinese lost the roof over their heads. Surprisingly, the lava flow did not affect the territory of the temple; it passed literally a few meters from it. The devout Balinese considered this a sign from above. And the veneration of the temple after the volcanic eruption in 1963 increased many times over. Currently, the volcano has been active only twice: in 2017 and 2018. And, fortunately, these were defective lava eruptions from the crater.

Today, the Balinese Temple of Pura Besakih bears the status of “mother of all temples.” According to local residents, this unique place protects the island from natural disasters and helps communicate with deities. The sacred complex received such a loud name also because it is the oldest and main temple in Bali, the source of the spread of Hinduism in these places.

What does the temple look like

This sacred complex, stretching over 3 thousand meters, includes three large temples, each of which is associated with a specific Hindu deity. The central entrance to the temple is decorated with a massive gate decorated with carvings and statues of protectors. Not far from it there is a restaurant and numerous souvenir shops, among which cunning islanders wander, trying to get some money from gullible tourists for accompanying walks around the temple territory. The offers of such guides should be treated with extreme caution. At the end of such an impromptu excursion, the final cost is usually significantly different from what was agreed upon at the beginning.

In the center of the sacred complex stands the largest shrine - Agung Panataran, in which the destroyer god Shiva is worshiped. A little to the east is the Dangin Kreteg temple, dedicated to the creator god Brahma. And closer to the west is the Batu Madeg temple, which is the abode of the guardian god Vishnu. The structure of the entire temple complex allows numerous visitors to Pura Besakih to pray, both to each of these deities separately, and to all of them at once. Another interesting fact is that each of the buildings today is financed from the budget of one of the island districts. Thus, Besakih unites all Balinese.

From an architectural point of view, the most interesting building on the territory of the complex is Agung Panataran. This temple includes three courtyards, symbolizing the border zone separating earthly, everyday life from the divine principle. Each of them has the shape of a regular rectangle. Almost all the buildings on the territory of the large temple are painted black. This is due to the fact that the building material in these parts was once cooled volcanic lava, which turned into stone over time.

The first courtyard in the main temple serves as a kind of hallway, and to get here you need to overcome 52 steps decorated with statues of mythical creatures. On holidays, each stone statue is “dressed” in a sarong - a multi-colored piece of fabric that encircles the lower part of the statue. The entrance to the first courtyard is through the “split gate” of Chandi Bentar, symbolizing the splitting of the sacred mountain into two parts. This place serves as a preparatory zone for believers: here they prepare for upcoming religious ceremonies.

The second courtyard is hidden behind equally luxurious gates, lavishly decorated with stone decorations. Behind them are:

• the throne for the deities on which Shiva sits;
• the Sanukhan-Agung room, where, according to legend, the gods gather on holidays and receive numerous gifts from visitors, laid by the latter at the altar;
• the covered Bale Agung pavilion, intended for prayers or waiting for the end of cremation during a Hindu funeral;
• and the house of the Pavedazhan clergy, closed to the public.

The third courtyard in the temple is designed in the form of terraces located on top of each other. There are traditional temple buildings in the form of towers here. All the local pagodas are of different heights and have an unequal number of floors (always odd). This is due to the fact that each tower in the courtyard is associated with a specific deity. And the more this or that god is revered among the local inhabitants of the island, the more tiers the tower associated with it has. For example, a building with eleven floors serves as a haven for the supreme deity Shiva and the goddess of fertility Devi Sri, and a tower with nine is intended for Vishnu and Brahma. The lowest tower has only three tiers. Inside the third courtyard there is also a church for blacksmiths - Pande Vesi and two closed buildings: a building dedicated to the god Shiva, and a small building built in honor of the ancestors of the former rajas of Klungkung, who were considered sacred in Bali.

In addition to the large temples, there are 19 other small religious buildings inside the Besakih complex, as well as outbuildings and barns. Each small church building also has its own purpose. Temples are divided into community, clan or caste. And many of them are only accessible to certain visitors.

During festive ceremonies, the vast territory of the entire temple complex is decorated with multi-colored flowers and pieces of colorful fabrics. The main colors of holiday decor here are: white, red, black and yellow. The largest celebration is Galungan, or the day of “victory of good over evil”, held on the territory of the temple, celebrated for about 10 days. This long event ends with the Kuningan ceremony - a meeting with the spirits of ancestors at the festive table. These days, not only the Pura Besakih temple complex, but the entire island of Bali is transformed, like Europe before Christmas.

The convenient remote location and special sacred location of Pura Besakih make this place extremely interesting for visitors who want to practice meditation. What makes one feel united with oneself and the outside world is not only the peaceful atmosphere that envelops the small shrines and main temples of the complex, but also the very unusual landscape: beautiful vegetation growing in these places and stunning panoramas opening from high observation platforms located on the territory of the complex.

How to get to the sacred place

Pura Besakih is located 63 km from Denpasar, and you can get here either by rented transport or taxi, or as part of an excursion group. In the first case, the road from the specified settlement will take 1.5 hours. After leaving the city, you will need to move to the East, through the small town of Semanrapura, to the village of Besakih. In the second - tourist office will take the excursion group to a parking lot located 1 thousand meters from the target. She will need to walk the rest of the way on her own.

Those tourists who decide to get to the sacred complex on their own, on a rented bike or by car, will definitely need to take a navigator with them so as not to accidentally get lost along the road. Of course, there are road signs in Bali, but you shouldn’t count on their accuracy. Without a navigator, it will not be easy to find out directions here from local residents: many of them do not even understand in English, not to mention Russian.

Also, when traveling by car, be sure to fill the tank full. Driving on a mountain road requires much more fuel than traveling on a straight road. And being left with an empty tank halfway somewhere in the middle of the forests is not the best prospect for spending your free time.

From Densapara, the Besakih complex can also be reached by public bus, which departs from the Batubulan terminal, located 8 km from the administrative center of Bali. Such a road will, of course, not be very pleasant for a visiting tourist: a slow journey under the scorching rays of the sun is unlikely to leave bright memories for anyone.

Another way to get to the complex is by hitchhiking. And this method is chosen by many visiting tourists. Hitchhiking will especially appeal to those who love free movement, meeting new people and communicating with local residents.

Pura Besakih Temple is open to the public every day and welcomes visitors from sunrise to sunset. The ticket office of the sacred complex is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tourists who want to fully enjoy all the local beauties are better off coming here in the morning. During the day, the temple becomes very crowded, and in the late afternoon, Pura Besakih, located at an altitude of more than 1 thousand meters above sea level, is often covered in darkness.

The cost of visiting the temple is 60 thousand rupees, children can enter the territory of Pura Besakih for free. For those who don't want to spend money on admission ticket, you can try to enter the complex early in the morning. In case of illegal entry, it is important not to accidentally catch the eye of the ticket office employee, so you should leave the temple only from the side exits.

When purchasing a “pass” to the temple, be sure to ask the cashier for an entrance ticket, even if the seller offers to enter without one. Of course, the availability of tickets for tourists is extremely rarely checked on the territory of the temple; once again it would not be a bad idea to be on the safe side. Moreover, it may turn out that the “inspector” turns out not to be an employee of the temple complex at all - local residents who want to deceive inexperienced tourist and getting a few rupees from him is more than enough here.

You should not be interested in the services of local “guides” who impose their accompaniment on the site in front of the entrance to the shrine. Firstly, they blatantly lie, claiming that it will not be possible to go beyond the first courtyard without an escort. And secondly, such escorts are unlikely to be able to answer all questions and show extensively the entire territory of the complex, including hidden zones, and this was confirmed by many visiting tourists.

To avoid attacks from local residents, you should enter the Besakih Temple not from the central side, but using one of the side staircases. Almost all sellers “hunt” for gullible visitors at the main entrance. If you still want to use the services of a guide, then you should definitely bargain with them. The normal price for a good escort is considered to be between $5 and $10.

An equally well-known trick, often used by local residents, is the payment of “donation,” a so-called financial donation for the development of the sacred complex. Particularly distrustful tourists may even be shown a magazine at the entrance with contributions supposedly made by other visitors, in which round sums will appear. Don't believe these fictitious posts. As a last resort, you can pay 1-2 $, no more.

A prerequisite for entering the temple territory is the presence of a sarong - a rectangular piece of fabric wrapped around the waist. You can bring it with you, buy it in souvenir shops at the entrance to the complex, or rent it there. In no case should you agree to the first announced price, even if traders tell you stories that “you won’t find it cheaper” and “it will be impossible to buy further.” We need to bargain.

You should also not shop in local shops and souvenir shops. All products offered here can be bought much cheaper in other areas of Bali. If you really want to spend money on souvenirs and paintings sold near the temple, then again you need to bargain.

What else can you see near the temple?

The main attraction of these places, in addition to the temple itself, which may be of interest to visitors, are, of course, the Agung and Batur volcanoes. For visiting tourists they are especially attractive as climbing objects.

The route to the top of the first volcano is quite difficult, especially in rainy weather. It is much easier to climb to the top of the second one. Both elevations offer stunning views of the local surroundings. Tourists are recommended to climb volcanoes only when accompanied by a qualified guide, in order to avoid injury.

An equally attractive attraction for tourists in the vicinity of Pura Besakih is the Telaga Waja River, which originates from the foot of the Agung volcano and flows towards the city of Semarapura. She belongs to the category of large water flows Bali is perfect for rafting - sports rafting on 6-, 4- or 2-seater inflatable boats. Telaga Waja, a source of fresh water for the locals, is considered a sacred spring among the Balinese.

Next to the Besakih temple there is also another body of water - Lake Batur, which was formed at the bottom of the crater of the volcano of the same name as a result of an eruption more than 20 thousand years ago. Local residents associate it with a certain legend about water, according to which the Goddess of the lake, using the springs of this large reservoir located under its bottom, feeds the entire island with healing water. On east coast There are a whole lake here thermal complex, where visiting tourists can fully relax in the hot tubs and swim in the pool.

Despite the intrusive locals and peculiar weather in the area, Pura Besakih, like other temples in Bali, is a local attraction that is definitely worth seeing with your own eyes. It truly amazes with its splendor and beauty. The top platform of the Besakih temple complex offers amazing views of fabulous Bali, and it’s simply impossible to leave here without lots of colorful photos! By the way, photography is officially allowed on the territory of the temple complex. And if you suddenly manage to accidentally get into this sacred place during a festive ceremony, then you will be able to contemplate the real life of the Balinese people, touch their living “non-tourist” culture, and also look at everything from the inside, through the eyes of local residents.

• Original name: Pura Besakih
• Working hours: 8 - 17 hours
• Recommended duration of visit: 1–2 hours
• Size: large complex temple (about 3 km²)
• Date of foundation: first mention 1284
• Height above sea level: 1000 meters
• Coordinates: -8.37435, 115.450804
• Address: Besakih Village, Rendang, Karangasem, Bali 80863, Indonesia

general information

The island of Bali is famous for its many Buddhist shrines and pilgrimage sites that attract tourists from different parts of the world. The Balinese themselves call their island “The Island of a Thousand Temples.” The objects of worship here are not only temples, but also sacred mountains, which can purify a person on a spiritual level. One of the most revered hills is highest mountain islands called Gunung Agung, whose height reaches 3142 meters. The mountain symbolizes the incarnation of the Supreme God Shiva, therefore it is a sacred and revered territory.

To the south western slopes at the foot of the sacred mountain Gunung Agung, formed from a volcanic eruption, rises the majestic ancient temple-complex Pura Besakih, which is considered the main asset not only of the island of Bali, but of the entire Hindu world. This is the largest and most unusually beautiful temple, where you can see majestic statues of Buddha, Vishnu and Shiva. Local residents call it differently, some “Temple of the Mother of Besakih”, and some “Mother of all sacred temples”. The name comes from ancient legends, which the Balinese still believe in and follow all their principles.

The history of the Pura Besakih temple

The Pura Besakih Temple was built more than a thousand years ago, but the first mention of it can be dated back to 1284, when it was discovered by expeditions from other countries. Locals believe that the shrine was built before the 8th century, and not by ordinary people, but by the Gods, who to this day live in the uppermost parts of the pagodas, protecting the island of Bali from evil spirits and all adversities.

During its existence Pura Besakih Temple has survived many different disasters, however, was able to resist and now delights not only local Balinese with its extraordinary beauty, but also tourists from all over the planet. The first tragedy is mentioned in 1917, when the Gunung Agung volcano unexpectedly erupted and the hot magma destroyed most shrines. The next eruption in 1963 was less destructive, so over the course of half a century they were able to restore it, collecting it almost piece by piece.

Legends associated with the temple

There are many legends associated with the appearance of the Pura Besakih temple. They are recounted with great pleasure by local residents and guides to visiting tourists. One of them says that the temple was built by the will and forces of a variety of gods and their kingdoms. Therefore, on its territory there are many different sculptures, strikingly different from each other.

Besakih Temple - Daily Hindu Ceremonies

According to the Balinese, the gods still live in temples, namely in the highest tiers of pagodas, and accept donations from people. That is why daily Hindu ceremonies are held here, attended by hundreds of Balinese.

Features of the structure of the temple and the surrounding area

The Pura Besakih complex includes 22 separate temples, each of which has its own special purpose and name, as it personifies a specific deity.

Features of the structure of the divine territory:

• the total area of ​​temple buildings and courtyards is more than 3 square kilometers;
• 18 main temples and 4 auxiliary;
• multi-meter stairs that allow you to understand at a higher level;
• on each level there are tents with benches where you can relax a little;
• on the first level there is a Gamelan orchestra;
• Baskets with flowers and other decorations are placed everywhere to appease the spirits.

Due to the fact that the sacred buildings are located on the slopes of the mountain, from a distance it looks like a multi-tiered structure with grandiose rectangular vaults, soaring stairs and divine statues, immersed in luxurious greenery.

Mysterious Besakih temple in low clouds

The most significant and largest structure in the complex is the Panataran Agung Temple, where they worship and pray to God Shiva, so the predominant color on the walls is white, which is noticeable from afar. The sculptures located nearby are decorated with flowers and white sarongs. It is in this temple that the most important religious Buddhist ceremonies of the island of Bali take place on holidays, where thousands of pilgrims from all over the world gather. Therefore, if you are lucky enough to visit the shrine on Hindu holidays, any tourist will be mesmerized by the surrounding beauty.

What is the best way to get to Mount Gugung Agung?

The volcanic mountain Gunung Agung is located in the eastern part of the island, near the village of Besakih. You can get to the shrine very easily by renting a moped or as part of a tourist group by bus. At the same time, the parking lot is located a kilometer from the very entrance to the temple, so you will have to walk a little, but this does not mean at all that the path will be boring. Along the entire path to the foot of the mountain there is great amount trading stalls that offer various souvenirs, jewelry, baskets of flowers for offering to the gods, and of course sarongs, without which entry into the temple territory is prohibited by the Hindu religion for both women and men.

Besakih Temple, temple buildings, valley view

IMPORTANT: It is better to go on an excursion early in the morning or in clear weather, because after lunch, almost the entire territory of the temple complex on the upper tiers is buried in clouds, which are held by Mount Agung. Being at an altitude of 990 meters above sea level, clouds are an everyday occurrence here, so it drizzles very often. Many tourists recommend taking umbrellas with you, otherwise you will have to buy them from local merchants.

Besakih Temple - surrounding area

Every tourist who visits the ancient temple of Mother Pura Besakih will not only receive an indelible impression of what he saw, but will also receive blissful peace by touching the most spiritual creations on earth. After all this is where the most significant and ancient shrines of the world are concentrated.

Pura Besakih

Temples are business card islands of Bali, and the main one is Pura Besakih, which the islanders consider the “Mother of Temples”. It is located on the slope of Mount Agung volcano. In fact, this is not a separate temple, but a religious complex stretching for 3 km, which includes 22 religious buildings. The shrine is highly revered by the Balinese. Whole families come here on religious holidays. Tourists also do not ignore the national treasure.

Historical reference

The temple of Pura Besakih was built at an altitude of 1,000 m on the southwestern slope of the mountain many centuries ago, probably in the 8th century. The first mentions in documents date back to 1284. Since then, the complex has been gradually expanded. Volcano Agung is located in eastern Bali. highest point islands, height 3142 m. Local residents consider it sacred. The volcano is active quite rarely, but in the 20th century it made itself known twice.

Agung volcano

In 1917, a volcanic eruption occurred, causing great damage to the temple. All regions of the island took part in the restoration. During the eruption in 1963, many houses were destroyed, but the lava flow passed literally a few meters from the temple territory, without causing any damage. For the Balinese, this became a sign from above, which made the veneration of the temple intensify even more.

How to get there

Pura Besakih Temple is 63 km from the island and 20 km from the nearest town of Klungkung. You can get there in different ways: as part of an excursion group, on your own using rented transport, or by taxi. Besakih Temple in Bali is very popular; all travel agencies on the island organize excursions in this direction. The parking lot is located about a kilometer from the main entrance, so pilgrims walk part of the way.

Description

The word “temple” in people’s minds is usually associated with a religious building in which believers pray. Everything is different in Bali. Each of the temples is an enclosed space consisting of three separate courtyards. The first courtyard symbolizes the world of people, the largest. The passage into it runs through a special “split gate”, which is a symbol of the universal mountain, divided into two parts.

In the first courtyard, believers prepare for ceremonies and access is open to tourists. Religious ceremonies are usually held in the second courtyard. In Balinese religion, the second courtyard plays the role of a border zone separating two opposing worlds - gods and ordinary people. There is an orchestra here that organizes musical accompaniment for ceremonial ceremonies, and various pavilions are installed.

The third courtyard symbolizes the world of the deities. Access here is open only to clergy. In this courtyard there are multi-tiered towers - meru, reminiscent of a pagoda. They symbolize Mount Meru, which is the abode of the gods. The Balinese consider Agung to be the personification of this sacred mountain. The towers have a different number of tiers, from 3 to 11, but always an odd number. Each is dedicated to certain deities who visit the towers on holidays.

Pura Besakih, which the Balinese reverence as the most important temple of the island, is built on the same principle. The complex consists of 22 churches, of which 18 are public and 4 are auxiliary. Each of the temples is dedicated to a deity. Among the temples of the complex, Kiduling Kreteg (Brahma Temple) and Batu Madeg (Vishnu Temple) stand out, the towers of which have nine tiers. The gates and walls are decorated with sculptures of mythical creatures, carvings, and many decorative elements.

The heart of the complex is Penataran Agung, dedicated to the main Hindu god - Shiva. In the central courtyard there is a meru consisting of eleven tiers. There are three statues of deities in the temple - Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. The most important ceremonies are usually held at Pura Penataran Agung. A high staircase leads to it, ending with a beautiful carved “split” gate. Behind them are several courtyards, only the first of which is open to tourists.

Most tourists who visit Besakih Temple admire the beauty of this place. Particularly luxurious panoramas open from the upper tiers. At the same time, there are a lot of complaints about local officials who are most unscrupulously trying to rob tourists at literally every step.

1. It is best to come to the Besakih Temple in the morning, when there is no influx of tourists and believers. In addition, in the afternoon there is a high probability of precipitation - rain and fog.
2. A sarong is required to visit. It’s better to stock up on it in advance so as not to rent someone else’s.
3. You should not buy souvenirs sold on the way to the temple, as their price is much higher than in other places on the island.
4. Be sure to keep the tickets you buy at the door and do not give them to scammers who will try to squeeze an additional fee from you.
5. They try to keep tourists without a guide from going further than the main staircase, trying to hire an escort for an additional fee. If your group consists of 3-4 people, you can hire a guide. The second option is to go up to the temple not along the central one, but along one of the side staircases, where there are no gates.

If you do not attach any importance to the overly intrusive Balinese who demand money for non-existent services, the Besakih temple leaves a good impression, striking with a large cluster of multi-tiered towers that look photogenic against the backdrop of a cloud-shrouded volcano.

Rising majestically on the western slopes of Mount Agung, which is called the Mother Temple, the Pura Besakih Temple, or Besakih Mother Temple, occupies a large area and superb mountain scenery surrounds this beautiful architectural temple complex.

Situated at an altitude of 900 meters, overlooking the peak of Mount Agung, which was considered the abode of the gods, Pura Besakih Temple is built in the village of Besakih, in eastern Bali. The name Besakih comes from the word “Basuki”, which in turn comes from the word “Wasuki” / “Vasuki”, which means “salvation” in classical Sanskrit. At the same time, in the mythology of Samudramantan, the same word “Besuki” is associated with the Dragon God “Hara Basukian”, who lived on the city of Gunung Agung, the main volcano of the island. Bali.

This grand temple complex has been revered as a holy place since ancient times. The first written mention of its existence dates back to 1007 AD. It is known that, starting from the 15th century, Besakih was considered central temple Hinduism in Bali.

Pura Penataran Agung, or "Great Temple of the State" is the central temple of the complex and the main place of worship on the island. Bali, a complex consisting of twenty-two temples on six ascending terraces located on parallel ledges.

This complex is a reflection of the deep Balinese belief known as Tri Hita Kirana, which means that human life on earth should be in balance and harmony between man and God, man and society and his fellow humans, and man and his natural environment.

On the full moon, Balinese and pilgrims fill the temple. During the Odalan festival, the temple is most luxuriously decorated. Odalan is celebrated every 210th day of the year.

How to get there

This temple is very easy to find as most people know it as one of the. There are several starting points for you to choose from:

The journey here from Kuta will take about 2 hours. Simply drive east towards Sanur, then follow the fast coastal route which will take you to the Kusamba bypass at Tohpati. Then head north until you see the Besakih road sign and turn north a few kilometers from this point. If you are staying in the Klungkung area, Besakih Temple is located about 20 kilometers north of the city center. Take Bemo - small public buses that take you to Besakih from Klunkung. Bemos most often travel in the morning and it is recommended to change trains at Rendang, halfway between Klunkung and Besakih.

If you are coming from the north of Denpasar by car, you need to drive about 25 kilometers to get to Besakih. However, if you are based in eastern Bali, in Tirta Gangga, Candidasa or Amed, you can reach Besakih via a short country road from Karangasem. This will take you to the junction between Besakih and Klunkung in Rendang, then you need to turn right towards Besakih Temple. During your hour-long drive, you will be able to enjoy amazing views of forests, villages and rice fields. If you're willing to make a short stop in one of the villages, you'll see how the locals live and learn a little about their unique homes.