The Balinese spirituality is manifested in various ways, small offerings on the banks of a river or ceremonies in the home shrines; the impressive temples that are scattered throughout the island are evidence of the importance of religion on the island of the gods. As a tourist I suggest you to investigate, walk, ask until you get the hidden temples.
The holy city of Besakih is an architectural jewel in which countless temples are joined by the side of the huge Agung Volcano . The pagodas are for visitors who must be dressed appropriately, without excessive necklines or decorations. Besakih is one of the spiritual centers of the island for more than a millennium . Although the main building is dedicated to Brahma , Shiva and Vishnu , the complex, consisting of 19 temples has spaces for each of the Hindu gods.
The city is located in northwest Bali, 1200 m above sea level is surrounded by picturesque rice fields, lush forests and vegetation. It is difficult to reach, there are too many stairs but if you have a good guide will explain the different symbols, the meaning of the remote temples, their shrines and the origin of the names of each Hindu god.
Besakih in Bali
The architectural complex of Besakih is an integral part of the Balinese Hindu religion and culture.
For the Balinese, visiting the temple shrines is a special pilgrimage. Besakih presents three temples dedicated to the Hindu trinity and in each one the locals must offer to a certain god during special moments of their life, marriage, beginning of old age, birth, among others.
What to see and what to do in Besakih
Obviously in the sacred city all the activities that are planned are related to religion, meditation, serenity of spirit. The offerings are carried out by the inhabitants between dances and traditional music. Each temple has appropriate decoration according to the god to whom the space is dedicated. In the gardens the flora and fauna of the island weave natural tunnels that filter the sun to generate a warm and calm atmosphere.
☝ Best tours and excursions in Besakih
The best time to visit is early in the morning, Besakih receives approximately 3.5 million foreign tourists, but also every year 8 million Indonesians come to the island of the gods attracted by coming to Besakih , the mother temple of the Balinese.
The holy city of Besakih is one of the few places in the world where there is room for each and every one of the variants, currents and sects of Hinduism. The place was built as a replica of Mount Merhu and next to the sacred buildings are old palaces, houses, shrines and gardens that, for the Balinese, form the Mother Temple.
☝ Besakih Temples
Although not yet approved Besakih was nominated as a World Heritage Site in 1995 There are at least 70 religious ceremonies or celebrations held here each year, as each shrine has its own anniversary, in addition to the great festivals based on the 210-day Balinese Hindu calendar system. The mother of all the village temples are the Pura:
✅ Basukian,✅ Penataran Agung✅ Dalem Puri
Specifically Pura Puseh, Pura Desa and Pura Dalem.
During the day, Besakih becomes a busy tourist trap, with self-proclaimed temple guards, street vendors and more.