Mother Temple of Besakih Pura Besakih

Overview

This temple is located on higher ground. It is the closest to Mount Agung's peak. It has great vistas and is 30-minutes away from the main temple.

About the Temple

This temple is known as Bali’s ‘Mother Temple.’ It has an artistic and unique complex that comprises at least 86 temples. This is the biggest and holiest of the island's temples and is surrounded by breathtaking and scenic rice paddies, hills, mountains, streams, and more. There are three temples dedicated to the Hindu trinity. It has white banners for Shiva, the destroyer; Pura Kiduling Kreteg on the right side is with red banners for Brahma, the creator; and Pura Batu Madeg represents Vishnu, the preserver, with its black banners.

Legend and Stories

Pura Batu Madeg has a central stone which indicates that the area of Pura Besakih was already considered a holy place since ancient times. In the 8th Century, a Hindustani monk had a revelation that asked him to build homes for people during his isolation. Many of his followers died due to illness and accidents. Upon completion, it was called ‘Basuki’, referring to the dragon deity ‘Naga Besukian’, believed to inhabit Mount Agung. The name eventually evolved into ‘Besakih’. There were also other shrines that were built, and Pura Besakih was made the main temple during the conquering of Bali by the Majapahit Empire in 1343.

Best Time to Visit

The best times of the day to visit the temple are early mornings and late evenings. The official guides are easily identifiable with their symmetrically patterned traditional Batik shirts. The service is not free, though not expensive at all either considering how big the complex is. There's no obligation to hire a guide for tours around the complex.

Festivals

There are at least 70 ceremonies or religious celebrations held each year here, as each shrine has its own anniversary, plus the big holidays based on the 210-day Balinese Hindu calendar system.

Accessibility

Ngurah Rai International Airport or Denpasar International Airport is located in South Kuta district and is just 13 kilometres from the main town of Denpasar. Flights from major international cities regularly fly in and out of the Denpasar Airport. From here, take a taxi to your destination. There are no railway services to Bali. You can take a train to Banyuwangi and then take a ferry from there to Bali. One may take a bus or a road trip, too.

Temple Address