Besakih Area

Besakih, commonly called Pura Besakih, is the largest and most important Hindu temple complex on the Indonesian island of Bali, situated on the lower slopes of Mount Agung. The site is the island’s principal ritual centre and contains a large group of interlinked shrines and courtyards.

The complex comprises roughly two dozen separate temples arranged on terraces up the slope, with the Pura Penataran Agung serving as the main sanctuary and ritual focus. Stone stairways, ornately carved gateways and multiple courtyards create a stepped sequence of sacred spaces that offer views up toward Mount Agung.

Many areas remain active places of worship, so access to inner sanctums is controlled during ceremonies and major festivals. The scale and density of shrines, plus the site’s position on the volcano’s flank, make it an important stop on cultural tours of eastern Bali.

The temple complex has grown over many centuries and incorporates older shrines and later Balinese Hindu additions; its origins are traditionally ancient, and the complex was shaped by continuous religious use rather than a single founding event. It has been repaired and expanded repeatedly following volcanic activity on Mount Agung.

Pura Besakih sits on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali within Karangasem Regency, on the island’s leeward side. The complex occupies a high, terraced site on the volcano’s lower slopes and is the principal temple complex serving much of eastern Bali.

• Scale: Comprises a complex of around 20-30 separate temples clustered on the lower slopes of Mount Agung, with a single principal sanctuary forming the focal point.
• Religious use: Active place of worship with regular ceremonies; modest dress and respectful behaviour are expected when visiting the inner shrines.

What to See#

• Pura Penataran Agung (main temple): The central sanctuary complex dominated by the main shrine, which is the largest and most important structure within the group.
• Outer terraces and courtyards: Series of outer courtyards and terraced compounds arranged on the slope, linking the lower access areas with the main sanctuary higher up the hillside.
• Subordinate village shrines: Numerous smaller family and village temples spread across the complex, used for specific rites and local ceremonies and maintained by local communities.

Besakih (the Mother Temple) sits on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali. Visitors normally drive from Denpasar/Ubud or from the east-Bali towns (Amlapura/Karangasem) by local roads; many tour operators and private drivers include Besakih on day tours. There is a parking area at the temple complex and visitors walk through the terraces and between the temple compounds on foot.

• Go early in the morning to beat heat and crowds and to see the terraces and shrines of the Besakih complex with better light; the main temple in the complex is Pura Penataran Agung, which many visitors focus on.
• Bring or borrow a sarong and shoulder covering-temple dress codes are enforced at Besakih and sarongs are commonly available to hire at the entrance so you won't be turned away from inner courtyards.
• Hire a local guide at the entrance if you want historical and ritual context: the complex contains many small shrines and a guide helps you understand which areas are open to visitors and which are reserved for worship.