Besakih Temple, Bali’s Mother Temple and The Beauty of Mount Agung
BESAKIH TEMPLE IS BALI’S MOTHER TEMPLE LOCATED IN THE PLEATUE AREA WHICH IS COVERED BY THE COOL ATMOSPHERE AND MOUNT AGUNG AS A BACK DROP.
Besakih Temple is opened for tourist and it is the great place to visit during your holiay in Bali island. This Hindu temple known as Bali’s Mother Temple for over 1,000 years, sits 1,000 meters high on the southwestern slopes of Mount Agung. Besakih is an artistic and unique complex that comprises at least 86 temples which include the main Pura Penataran Agung (the Great Temple of State) and 18 others. Besakih is the biggest and holiest of the island temples and is surrounded by breathtaking and scenic rice paddies, hills, mountains, streams and more. To the Balinese, visiting the temple sanctuaries is a special pilgrimage. Mount Agung high location gives it an almost mystical quality. Many stairs lead up to the sacred mountain, leading to the many temples that vary according to types, status and functions. Besakih Temple features three temples dedicated to the Hindu trinity. Pura Penataran Agung in the centre 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.
You can visit other temples in Pura Besakih, but many of their inner courtyards are closed to the public as they were reserved for pilgrims. Besakih Temple is the only temple open to every devotee from any caste groups. This is because of its nature as the primal centre of all ceremonial activities. Pura Batu Madeg, containing a central stone, indicates that the area of Besakih Temple was already regarded a holy place since ancient times. In the 8th century, a Hindustani monk had revelations to build homes for people during his isolation. Throughout the process, many of his followers died due to illness and accidents.
On its completion it was called Basuki, referring to the dragon deity Naga Besukian, believed to inhabit Mount Agung. The name eventually evolved into Besakih. Other shrines were gradually built and Besakih Temple was made the main temple during the conquering of Bali by the Majapahit Empire in 1343. Since then, Pura Besakih has had several restorations as earthquakes in 1917 and Mount Agung series of eruptions in 1963 damaged the complex. The lava flow passed by Pura Besakih and it is believed to be a miraculous signal from the deities that they wanted to demonstrate their power without completely destroying the holy complex their devotees had built for them.
The largest temple in the complex of Besakih Temple is Pura Penataran Agung, has different areas representing seven layers of the universe, each with their own shrines. Pura Pasimpangan on the downstream side (on the east of the main street) and Pura Pangubengan upstream are approximately three kilometres apart. Located on higher ground, the closest to Mount Agung peak, Pura Pangubengan has great vistas and its about a 30-minute walk from the main Pura Penataran Agung. Around 10 minutes to the east of Pura Pangubengan is Pura Batu Tirtha. It is where holy water is sourced for the Karya Agung ceremonies at Pura Besakih and Pekraman villages.
Four temples in the complex reflect four forms of God at compass points : Pura Batu Madeg in the north, Pura Kiduling Kreteg to the south, Pura Gelap in the east, and Pura Ulun Kulkul in the west. Batu ngadeg literally standing stone is found in the shrine of Meru Tumpang Sebelas at Pura Batu Madeg. This is where Vishnu is believed to descend. Still in the courtyard of Pura Batu Madeg, in front of Meru Tumpang Sebelas is the Pesamuan shrine (quadrangle-shaped with two lines of 16 poles) as a symbol of how Vishnu power interrelates with the world. At least 20 minutes to the northwest from Pura Batu Madeg, down the footpath to the valley and along the river, is Pura Peninjoan – erected on a tiny hill.
The beautiful views from here include all the shrines of Pura Penataran Agung, beaches and southern Bali in the distance. On the west is Pura Ulun Kulkul, famous for the main and most precious kulkul (Balinese wooden slit gong) on the island. Kulkul is a signaling device to summon or convey special messages. On the northern side of Pura Ulun Kulkul is Pura Merajan Selonding where the Bredah inscription mentions a king in Besakih, and a set of ancient gamelan called Selonding are kept. Pura Gua, located on the eastern side of the main street, is the home of the dragon deity.
There is a big cave at the canyon of the river on the east that has its mouth closed due to erosion, but people still sometimes practise yoga there. Pura Jenggala, southwest of Pura Penataran Agung, is also often called Pura Hyang Haluh by the local devotees. The Setra Agung burial grounds is south of the temple. Here are sacred ancient stone statues in the form of the mythical garuda bird. Pura Basukian Puseh Jagat is located southeast of Pura Penataran Agung, the main foundation of Pura Besakih. Besakih Temple was nominated as a World Heritage Site in 1995, but as yet remains unvested.
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. Pura Basukian, Pura Penataran Agung, and Pura Dalem Puri are the mother of all village temples, namely Pura Puseh, Pura Desa, and Pura Dalem. Their shrines contain religious literature referring how a temple must be built. During the daytime Besakih Temple becomes a crowded tourist trap, with self-professed temple guards, touts, hawkers, and more. Bear in mind that you should wear a proper top, a sarong, and a sash.
The best visiting times of the day are in the early morning and in the evening as the complex is much quieter during these hours. 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 is no obligation to hire a guide for tours around the complex. Sarongs and sashes are available for rent. They were also available for purchase at the many stalls outside, and bargaining is recommended. Women on their periods are forbidden entry. Dont forget to change money in the more urban areas as the rates here are not reliable.
Entrance Ticket : IDR 50,000
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