Besakih Temple, Bali

Pura Besakih


Besakih (GPS: -8.37482, 115.45092) or Pura Besakih is regarded as the Mother Temple of Bali. It is located in on the slopes of Gunung Agung in East Bali, and stand as the largest and holiest temple of Balinese Hinduism.

Grand staircase to Besakih


Located on the southern slopes of Gunung Agung, Besakih dates back to the 14th century, to when Hinduism was introduced into Bali via Java, and was assimilated into the local culture.

The temple complex of Besakih comprises twenty-two individual temples on parallel ridges. It has numerous courtyards and gateways; they lead to the main meru shrine known as the Pura Penataran Agung. The complex is aligned along a single axis with the intention of leading the pilgrim spiritually upward and closer to the mountains, considered the abode of the gods.

Pura Besakih complex


The padmasana, or lotus throne, of the Pura Penataran Agung in Besakih is the symbolic center of the temple, and the ritual focus of the complex.

The eruption of Gunung Agung in 1963 killed 1,700 people, but missed the temple by mere meters. Balinese regarded it as a sign of the wrath of the gods who wanted to demonstrate their power but spared the monument of the Balinese faithful. With each of its shrine having a yearly feast day based on the 210-day Balinese calendar, there are some seventy festivals held at Besakih every year.

Pura Batu Madeg, Besakih


Pura Besakih

Besakih on Google Street View

Besakih (May 2015)

Besakih is on the map of Bali

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