Besakih Temple

Besakih Temple is the origin of the Balinese tradition. This temple was founded in the 8th century by one of the rsi from India who came to Bali called rsi markandya. after receiving a revelation to build a new civilization on the eastern tip of the island of Java called Java Dwipa.

After coming a second time from Taro village, which was marked by establishing a temple with exactly the same name, according to the revelation he received, namely Mount Raung, he began to encroach on the wilderness forest to the north of the Gunung Raung Temple. 

Where he began to encroach on the forest, he built a temple without a building which had the concept of Mother. Pertiwidi calls Pura Sang Bang Daat. From this place he penetrated to the foot of the highest mountain, namely Mount Tohlangkir, the name of Mount Agung at that time. until he was at the foot of the mountain then he planted these five elements in the direction of the compass.

Besakih temple

Let's tell a flashback story by including Besakih Temple in your tour plan

Besakih Temple is located in Besakih countryside, Rendang sub district, Karangasem regency, east part of the island. It is located in the southwest side of the bevel of mount Agung, the biggest mount in Bali. It is because it is believed that Agung Mount is the holiest and highest mount in Bali Island.

Bali’s “mother temple”, Besakih temple, is over 900 meters up the slopes of Mount Agung. It has been regarded as a holy place since pre-historic times in Bali. 

Near the place where these 5 elements were planted, a temple was built which is the center of this temple complex. This temple is a temple to worship the god Shiva because Rsi Markandya was a Shivaist before the temple complex was built.

This temple has 3 lingas which are symbols of the three Shivas, namely Shiva, Sada Shiva, Parama Shiva which is now called Padma Tiga. Then during the reign where Bali was ruled by the Klungkung kingdom.

Let's tell a flashback story by including Besakih Temple in your tour plan

the Klungkung king focused on development to build this largest temple and the concept of nawa sanga was established, namely the concept of cardinal directions along with the gods who control these cardinal directions, such as to the south where the palace of the god Brahma is located, to the north the palace of the god Vishnu and others

The first recorded mention of its existence is from an inscription that dates from 1007 A.D. Since the Gelgel dynasty of the fifteenth century it has been regarded as a central, holy temple for the entire island.

In the construction of this temple, all levels of society and groups, dynasties and castes were involved. Because the construction of this huge temple project at that time took quite a long time so that people rarely went to their homes and couldn't worship their ancestor.

The king ordered to make tents as well as a place to connect with their ancestors, one needs to remember that Achieving nirvana under the guidance of our ancestors is very necessary so that Balinese people will worship our own ancestors as a bridge to reach Siwa Loka. 

The place where they built a dynasty temple was built to remind them that their ancestors took part in building this temple. So this temple is the largest temple with temples from complex dynasties from all over Bali.

CHARTER IN BALI

All the allegiances of the Balinese people come together at Besakih. Each regency has its own temple within the over-all compound, as does each of the caste groups. 

There is a total of 18 separate sanctuaries. The three main temples are: Pura Penataran Agung, dedicated to Sang Hyang Widi Wasa: Pura Kiduling Kreteg, dedicated to Brahma; and Pura Batu Madeg, dedicated to Vishnu.

FIND BALI ACTIVIES PROGRAM

To the Balinese a visit to the temple sanctuaries at Besakih temple is a special pilgrimage. Each temple has its own odalan, or anniversary celebration, and on the full moon of the Balinese month “Kedasa” the entire compound of Besakih celebrates the visit of the gods, with an enormous throng of visiting pilgrims.

Located at: Besakih Village, Rendang District, Karangasem Regency