Besakih Temple
More than one thousand years old, Besakih Temple is known as the “Mother Temple of Bali” Perched on the slopes of Mount Agung, at an elevation 1000 meters (3000 feet). Besakih is the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples. Bali’s mother temple stands against a stunning mountain scenery on the southeastern slopes of Mount Agung. Named after the Dragon God believed to inhabit the mountain, it is reportedly the only temple where a Hindu of any caste can wed
Eighteen separate sanctuaries belonging to different regencies and caste groups surround the three main temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. For the Balinese, a visit to the temple sanctuaries is a special pilgrimage. The mountain top setting gives it an almost mystical quality.
The largest on the island, this massive complex of 35 small temples attracts staggering numbers per year, with the main point of pilgrimage for Balinese Hindus. Steps ascend through split gates to the courtyard where the Trinity shrines, dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, are wrapped in cloth and decorated with flower offerings. There are several temples, but many of their courtyards are closed to visitors. Tracing the origin to the prehistory, the complex was untouched by the great 1963 eruption of the Agung volcano, which wiped out surrounding villages. The complex is also the oldest in Bali gamelan instrument called selonding. The temple ceremony (odalan) falls on the 10th month of the Balinese calendar, in April. When traveling, try to reach Pura Besakih before 9 hours, when many tourist buses start to arrive, so we can take in the beautiful tranquil Balinese Temple in the morning.
