The Besakih Temple complex on the slopes of Gunung Agung (Great Mountain) is the most important, largest & holiest Hindu temple in Bali. It is located over 3000 feet up the side of Bali’s tallest mountain – a still active volcano. It’s constructed of 23 separate temples, which are built on 6 levels, terraced up the slope. The main temple & holiest area, called Pura Penataran Agung, is nestled towards the middle of the complex. Though construction of the main complex dates from the 13th to 15th centuries, the stone bases of Pura Penataran Agung & some other temples resemble megalithic stepped pyramids that date back at least 2000 years! Gunung Agung last erupted in 1963, when lava flows missed the temple complex by only a few feet! The sparing of the temple from destruction is locally regarded as miraculous & serves to demonstrate the sacred importance of the site.
Here are two galleries of photos from our visit:
