Pura Besakih : The Bali's Mother Temple

Bali Personal Drivers - Pura Besakih is located in Besakih village, Rendang sub-district and Karangasem regency. To reach Pura Besakih, tourists can start the journey from the city of Denpasar with a distance of about 60 km to the northeast. From Kuta area, it takes about 2 hours to get here. Pura Besakih lies on the Southwest slopes of Agung Mount, the highest mountain on the island of Bali which the local people regarded as a sacred mountain. Lies at an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level, making the temperature in the Pura Besakih is quite cool.

Introduction

Bali is known as the 'island of a thousand temples' because on this island there are more than 11,000 buildings temple. That said, in some places in Bali, the number of temples even exceeds the number of houses.
One of the biggest temple which is considered as the mother temple in Bali is Pura Besakih. Pura Besakih lies on the Southwest slopes of Agung Mount, the highest mountain on the island of Bali which the local people regarded as a sacred mountain. At the date of March 17, 1963 (another version says March 18) Agung Mount erupted and killed more than 1,000 people and destroy villages around it. But that fascinate, Pura Besakih 'untouchable' by the disaster, though the distance is only about 1 km from the summit of Agung Mount.

According to the story, the location of the temple is chosen because it is considered a sacred area. Besakih name comes from the word "Basuki", derived from the word "Wasuki" which means Salvation in the Sanskrit language. Whereas, in the mythology of "Samudramanthana", the name "Besuki" in fact refers to the "Naga Besukian", the dragons that inhabit Agung Mount and has been become a part of the public conviction on the slopes of Agung Mount, the main volcano in Bali. You might also like to read The History of Besakih.

Pura Besakih is a complex of Hindu temples which consist of 22 buildings temple. The huge temple complex has been regarded as a holy place since ancient times. Based on the records of ancient inscriptions in 1007 AD. It is known that since the 15th century, Pura Besakih is considered as the center of Hindu temples in Bali. According to estimates by experts, Pura Besakih development process took more than 1,000 years to reach its present form. Various evidence from megalithic period, which was found around the temple complex, such as menhir, stone throne and a pyramid-shaped terrace have strengthened the estimates.

Pura Besakih complex express the important conviction of the Balinese people that known as "Tri Hita Kirana". Tri Hita Kirana is the concept of balance among human, nature, and God. The arrangement of the temple building adopted to the direction of the wind, so that its structure can be represented as the symbolism of the balance of nature. Each cardinal directions called "mandala" with the ruling god called "Catur Lokapala".
As the center (axis / middle) of the four cardinal directions are Penataran Besakih, the biggest temple dedicated to Shiva surrounded by other temples that are :
.:. On the east side, Pura Gelap used to worship the god Iswara.
.:. On the south side, Pura Kiduling Kereteg to worship Lord Brahma.
.:. On the west side, Pura Ulun Kulkul to worship Lord Mahadeva.
.:. On the north side, Pura Batumadeg to worship Lord Vishnu.
Within the complex Pura Besakih often held various Hindu religious ceremonies and will reach its peak on the celebration of every hundred years of Pura Besakih, the so-called "Ekadasa Rudra" (last done in 1979).

What is interesting here ...?

Pura Besakih offers you a beautiful scenery and charming temple building that surrounds the temple complex. Pura Besakih is a remarkable temple, if you look at the temple from a distance then you can see a temple complex like the impressive pyramid, that stretches up to the mountains with Agung Mount as the dramatic backdrop. The stunning scenery is in the morning where the morning sun shining on the temple complex, and also at the time of sunset. This temple is also decorated with Balinese ornaments such as : stone staircase, sacred statues and stone carvings.

To reach Pura Besakih complex, you have to walk on a footpath about 200 meters. On both sides of the road, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery, and feel the wind in your hair and skin on the way to the temple. If not, you can choose to rent a motorbike offered by locals.
When you reach the area complex, you will see the first temple on the left. This temple is a sacred temple dedicated to the royal ancestors known as Pura Dalem Puri. The Balinese cremation ashes store in this temple. From here, if you pass through a large gate with more than a hundred railroad stairs will take you to Pura Penataran Agung. Balinese Hindus believe that Pura Penataran Agung is the center of devotion to the gods.
You will also see the different colors on each temple. The colors is dedicated to The God which represents the Hindu Trinity. White is dedicated to temple of Shiva (Pura Penataran Agung), red is the Brahma temple (Pura Kiduling Kreteg), while black is the Vishnu temple (Pura Batu Mandeg).

Every day in Pura Besakih was always a religious ceremony and at every full moon, usually Balinese Hindus flocked to the Besakih temple to perform worship and pilgrimage. When it came time for the ceremony Odalan, the temple will be decorated beautifully. Odalan ceremony is held every 210 days according to the Balinese calendar. If there are no large-scale ceremony in the temple, visitors may be allowed entry into the temple.

To enter any temple in Pura Besakih complex, you should wear sarong and scarves to honor the traditions of Balinese Hindus. Sarongs and scarves are special apparel while praying in Balinese temples. If you want to enter one of the temples, you can rent sarongs and scarves at the entrance to the temple.
If you do not have enough time to enjoy all the beauty of Pura Besakih, the best recommendation is to focus your attention to Pura Basukian, Pura Penataran Agung and Pura Gelap or Pura Batumadeg.

Pura Besakih Complex as The Bali's Mother Temple consists of 22 temples, if you want to know the other temples in Pura Besakih complex, do not forget to read this ...

Reference : indonesia.travel/id
Photo : flickr.com