The Biggest Temple With Interesting Story Located On The Slope Of The Holiest Mountain On Bali

Besakih Temple, the biggest and the most complete temple on Bali Island, is also known by local people as Pura Besakih. Located on the southwest side slopes of Agung Mountain, the highest and the holiest mountain on Bali Island makes the area of Besakih temple has the powerful energy and feels very sacred.

Placed above the altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, Besakih Temple consists of 1 central temple named Pura Penataran Agung Besakih, and 18 other temples ( Basukuan Temple and other 17 temples), it is a huge temple. If you are in Bali or just make a plan to visit Bali, In this article, you will read three reasons why you should visit the temple of Besakih.

First, the temple of Besakih is the biggest in Bali and it is also known as The Mother Temple. This temple area is approximately 2 km, which will take quite a lot of effort if you want to see the whole temple here but it will not disappoint you. As I write above, the temple of Besakih consists of nineteen temples. Basukian temple, the oldest temple, is the first temple that we will see in the area of Besakih Temple. Behind Basukian Temple, there are the center temples from all temples on Bali, Pura Penataran Agung Besakih.

There are also the high stairs to reach the temple. If you want to take pictures, let me tell you the stairs look good as a background picture. In Pura Penataran Agung Besakih There is a statue symbolizing the god of Hindus, Trimurti. Brahma the creator symbolized by red color, Shiva the Pelebur symbolized by the white-yellow color, and Vishnu the keeper symbolized in black. The rest, other seventeen temples,  there are small temples that represent each caste or kasta in Balinese Hindus believes.

Second, the history of Besakih Temple is very interesting to know. According to Babad Bali, a traditional note about Bali, the history of the establishment Besakih temple began when Rsi Markandeya, a Hindu religious leader of Indian descent, traveled to the island of Bali because he got a supernatural voice that he acquired when meditating in Dieng Mountain. The voice told him to open the forest on Bali Island and the field can be shared with his followers.

His journey is not a smooth adventure because many of his followers died by a wild animal or attacked by the disease. After doing a Dewa Yadnya ritual, a traditional Balinese ceremony that dedicated to God,  finally, the Rsi Markandeya and his followers reached the slopes of Mount Agung and they found various relics of prehistoric times such as Menhir and other relics on the summit of a hill.  There are other stories about the temple of Besakih, interesting to know? You can take a tour of the temple and hear the story while exploring the temple.

Third, Besakih temple located at Gunung Mas street, Besakih Village, Rendang, Karangasem Regency, East part of Bali Island. Instead of spending your time only at the south or west part of Bali, how about trying to explore other parts of Bali? There are many recommended places nearby the temple of Besakih, such as Tirta Gangga Water Palace, Jinja Garden Bali, Edelweiss Garden Bali, Tukad Cemplung Waterfall, Bali Elephant and Safari Park, Taman Ujung Water Palace, and many more. You can join a tour for safety and comfortable journey or you can make your own tour using google maps as the helper.

Besakih Temple is a “worth it” place to visit while you are in Bali. Learn about the history, amaze with the huge temple, and refresh your mind there. Taking a tour of this temple will give you many wonderful memories.