Visiting Pura Besakih Bali

Posted on

Tourism of Indonesia

Ready to Go to Pura Besakih Bali

Planning to go on a tour or travelling, we definitely want a smooth trip, comfortable accommodation, cheap hotels, good food, cheap plane tickets, close to everywhere, and can rent a motorbike or car.

Attraction

In Pura Besakih Bali, there is natural beauty and unique culture of the local community. There are many uniqueness, starting from the village (desa), sub-district (kecamatan), district (kabupaten) and provincial levels.

In Indonesia, each province has different and interesting characteristics. Each province has a different and unique culture and lifestyle.

Pura Besakih is a temple (pura) complex in the village of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali, Indonesia.

It is the most important, the largest and holiest temple of Hindu religion in Bali, and one of a series of Balinese temples. Perched nearly 1000 meters up the side of Gunung Agung, it is an extensive complex of 23 separate but related temples with the largest and most important being Pura Penataran Agung.

The temple is built on six levels, terraced up the slope. The entrance is marked by a candi bentar (split gateway), and beyond it the Kori Agung is the gateway to the second courtyard.

Rising majestically on the western slopes of Mount Agung, and referred to as the Mother Temple of Hindu Bali, there is Pura Besakih, or the Besakih temple. Covering  a vast area that offers  breathtaking mountain scenery surrounding this beautiful and artistic temple complex.

Facing Mount Agung’s highest peak, believed to be the abode of the gods, and located at an altitude of 900 meters, Pura Besakih is built in the village of Besakih, in the eastern part of Bali.

The name Besakih comes from the word “Basuki”, derived from the word “Wasuki” which means Salvation in the classical Sanskrit language. Whereas, in the Samudramanthana mythology, the same name “Besuki” in fact refers to the Dragon-God “Naga Besukian”, who inhabited Gunung Agung, the main volcano in Bali.

This grand temple complex has been revered as a holy place since ancient times. The first recorded mention of its existence comes from an inscription dating back to 1007 AD. It is known that since the 15th century Besakih was regarded as the central temple of Hinduism in Bali.

Pura Penataran Agung, or the “Great Temple of State” is the center of the temple complex and is is Bali’s main place of worship, a complex comprising twenty-two temples on six rising terraces set on parallel ridges.

This complex expresses the essential belief of the Balinese known as Tri Hita Kirana, meaning that life on earth must be lived and kept in balance and harmony between man and God, man and society and his fellow human beings, and man and his natural environment.

The government is taking good care of the preservation of nature and maintaining the condition of the forest.

The environment is also well maintained.

Activity

Visiting Pura Besakih Bali, we will witness routine community activities in unique traditional cultures. And there are special dishes and food as part of culinary tours that are delicious and yummy.

During a full moon, Balinese and pilgrims throng to the temple. During the festival of Odalan, the temple is most elaborately decorated. Odalan is celebrated on every 210th day.

Away from the loud parties of Kuta Beach, leaving the thrilling waves of Uluwatu behind and the modern facilities ofNusa Dua, then traveling beyond enchanting  Ubud, a visit to Pura Besakih is truly a spiritual experience into the heart of Balinese religious and cultural life.

Besakih is a remarkable and outstanding temple. Looking at the temple from a distance, you can observe an impressive complex of pyramid-like temples, extending up the mountain, with Gunung Agung providing a dramatic backdrop.

The setting looks particularly stunning in the clear morning light, and gorgeous at sunset. This temple is also decorated with Bali-style ornaments, doorstep temple, sacred stone idols, and stone carvings.

Before exploring this temple, you have to rent and wear a sarong and sash at the main entrance of the temple to respect the Balinese tradition, as Besakih Temple is a holy place of worship. The Sarong and sash are special clothes Balinese wear when praying at temples.

When you reach the complex, you will see the first group of temples on your left. This is sacred temple dedicated to royal ancestors is known as Pura Dalem Puri.

Balinese store the ashes of the dead after the cremation known as the Ngaben ceremony. From here, walk up the flight of stairs that will lead you to Pura Penataran Agung.

The local people believe that Pura Penataran Agung is the center of devotion to the Gods. Next to the main temple are two other important temples. These are Pura Kiduling Kreteg on its right and Pura Batu Madeg on its left.

The colors of the banners denote which God the temple is dedicated to, the three representing the Hindu Trinity. The white banner is dedicated to the temple of Shiva (Pura Penataran Agung), the red banner is for the temple of Brahma (Pura Kiduling Kreteg), while the black banner is for the temple of Vishnu (Pura Batu Mandeg).

When there are no festivals or events taking place here, visitors may be allowed inside to look around the temples. This is the best spot to take pictures.

If you wish to explore the more remote part of the temple,  head to Pura Pengubengan, which is situated some 2 kilometers at the northern end of the complex.

In this place there are also regular events or activities held every year, both national and international.

Accessibility

The journey to Pura Besakih Bali is now very easy. We can enter through various modes of transportation.

Access to go to Pura Besakih Bali:

This temple is very easy to find, as most people know it as one of the best tourist destinations in Bali. There are several starting points that you may choose to take:

From Kuta, it takes about 2 hours to get here. Simply head east towards Sanur, then follow the fast coastal route, which is connected to the Kusamba Bypass at Tohpati. Then go north until you find the road sign to Besakih, and after a few kilometers from this point turn north.

If you are staying around Klungkung, then Besakih is about 20 kilometers north of the town center. Take the Bemo  the small public buses that will take you to Besakih from Klungkung. Bemos are most frequent in the morning, and it is recommended to change bemos at Rendang, halfway between Klungkung and Besakih.

If you come from the north of Denpasar, it is about 25 kilometers to reach Besakih by car. However, if you stay in the eastern part of Bali such as at Tirta Gangga, Candidasa, or Amed, you can reach Besakih by taking a smaller inland road from Karangasem.

This will lead you to the crossroad between Besakih and Klungkung at Rendang, and then turn right to reach Besakih Temple.

During your hour-long drive, you will enjoy beautiful views traveling through  forests, villages, and rice fields. If you are willing to make a short stop in one of the villages, you will see how the local people live, and learn a bit about their unique houses.

To reach the temple complex, you have to stroll up a footpath for about 200 meters. On both sides of the path you will find beautiful views, and feel the breeze on your way to the temples. Otherwise, you may prefer to rent a motorbike offered by the local people.

The condition of the infrastructure is getting better. Starting from highways, airports, trails, ports, bridges, stairs, even some places can be reached by toll roads.

We can visit by plane, car, ship, bus, motorcycle and bicycle. At some point, we can take the train. We can also walk freely.

Amenity

In Pura Besakih Bali, as technology getting better. We can easily find locations for mini markets, shops (warung kedai), Money Changer, ATMs, Bank BRI BCA BNI Mandiri, BTPN Bank Nagari BJB, supermarkets, and restaurants. So we will not starve or lack the necessary items.

Suggestion Before Visiting Pura Besakih Bali:

  • Besakih Temple is open to visitors all year round during the official opening hours between 8 a.m. up to 5 p.m.. The entrance fee is 10,000 IDR; parking fee 1,000 IDR; camera use submission 1,000 IDR, and video use 2,500 IDR.
  • If you who have not been to Besakih Temple before you may want to engage a guide, who will help show you around the temple. The guide fee is about 25 USD. Still,  if you do not find it necessary to hire a guide, you can walk around on your own.
  • Prepare yourself with a pair of comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, and a light t-shirt.
  • It is recommended to invite a Balinese friend to accompany you or hire a driver to visit Besakih temple in the daytime.
  • Please feel free to report to the temple guards if you meet with any problems.

If you are sick and need help, you can also visit clinics, drugstore pharmacies (apotek), practice doctors, hospitals, and health centers (puskesmas).

In this place we can also look for places of worship such as mosques, churches, and others.

Accommodation

Finding place to stay in Pura Besakih Bali is very easy. We can stay at home stays, hotels, inns, hostels and other places.

To get lodging at a cheap and definitely comfortable price, please see below:
Booking.com

Experience and Reviews

There are already many visitors have visited Pura Besakih Bali, there are many interesting stories that are told. Like feeling satisfied, happy, wanting to come again, sleep well, and almost no one is disappointed or complains to come here.

So, visitors will find out on how to find the best hotels, where is exactly located, why it is amazing, how much is the fare and rate, who are the people, whom to ask, and when is the best time to visit.

We can visit these tourist attractions from Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Redep, Tanjung Selor, Tapak Tuan, Tarakan, Tarutung, Tasikmalaya, Muara Bungo, Muara Enim, Muara Teweh, Muaro Sijunjung, Muntilan, Nabire, Negara, Nganjuk,

That’s all the information we provided, hopefully useful.

Comments are closed.