Sacred Mount Agung and Besakih Temple
The volcanic Mount Agung (Gunung Agung) is the most sacred mountain in Bali. It is home to the important Mother Temple of Besakih, the largest and holiest temple in Bali.
History
An active volcano, it last erupted in March 1963. The lava flows narrowly missed the Mother Temple of Besakih on the mountain’s slopes, which the Balinese regarded as a miraculous sign from the gods.
Built before 1000 AD, Besakih Temple was originally a terraced temple dedicated to the dragon god Besakih who is believed to inhabit the sacred mountain.
In the 15th century, Besakih became the state temple of the Geigel-Kiungkung dynasty, whose rulers built several small temples to honor their deified kin. It remains a state temple today, run and funded by the provincial and national governments.
What to See
The great Mount Agung rises to an altitude of 3,148 meters (10,308 feet) in eastern Bali. Perched on its slopes about 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) in altitude is the holy Besakih Temple, Mother Temple of Bali.
Besakih is said to be the only temple where a Hindu of any caste can worship. Surrounding three main temples dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu are 18 separate sanctuaries belonging to different regencies and caste groups.
Stairs ascend through a monumental split gate to the courtyard of the main temple, Pura Panataran Agung, where the central shrine dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu is wrapped in cloth and decorated with flower offerings.
Two other important temples further up the slope join with the Pura Panataran Agung to symbolize the Hindu trinity: the Pura Panataran Agung in the center flies white banners for Shiva, Pura Kiduling Kreteg to the right flies red banners for Brahma; and Pura Batu Mddeg, on the left, has black banners for Vishnu.
There are many other temples to explore at Besakih, but many of their inner courtyards are reserved for worship and closed to visitors.
Quick Facts
Names: Gunung Agung (Mount Agung); Pura Besah (Besakih Temple)
Type of site: Hindu temple; sacred mountain
Faith: Balinese Hinduism
Status: Active
Dates: c.1000 AD
Location: Eastern Bali, Indonesia
Tip: If not traveling as part of a tour, try to arrive at the temple before 9am, when the tourist buses begin to arrive
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Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] Gunung Agung is Bali’s biggest trekking challenge. Fortunately, Bali’s highest and most revered mountain is not difficult to climb. The tip is to start well before dawn, armed with a strong flashlight, water, food, and warm and waterproof clothing. The best time for a climb is during the dry season of April through October. But climbing is not permitted when major religious events are held at Pura Besakih, which is most of April. [...]