Besakih Temple as the Biggest Temple in Bali 


    Bali With The World, INDONESIA. The name of Besakih temple comes from the word of Basukih or Basuki. In the ancient Javanese language, Basukih or Basuki means salvation. However, according to the mythology of Samudramantana, Basukih or Basuki means a dragon that coils Mandara mount. Besakih temple was built based on the concept of Tri Hita Karana (the balance concept among nature, humans, and Gods). 

    According to the Purana book, the Besakih temple was built by a holy priest with his followers in 11th century. They come from East Java. The name of the holy priest is Rsi Markandya. Before they built the temple, firstly Rsi Markandya put and buried Panca Datu (5 different elements as the symbol of the universe) in the basement of the temple. It was conducted to protect the process of temple building from evil spirits. The five different elements are gold, silver, bronze, copper, and diamond.      

    Besakih temple is the biggest temple in Bali and often called as the mother of the temple in Bali. It is located in Besakih village, Rendang district, and Karangasem regency exactly on the slope of Agung mount. It is approximately 60 km northeast of Denpasar. 

    In the complex of the Besakih temple, there are 202 shrines, 5 main temples, and 18 other temples in the complex of Besakih temple. The five main temples are:

1. Batu Madeg Temple: It is located at the north and dedicated to Wisnu.  

2. Gelap Temple: It is located at the east and dedicated to Iswara.

3. Kiduling Kreteg Temple: It is located at the south and dedicated to Brahma.

4. Ulun Kul-Kul Temple: It is located at the west and dedicated to Mahadewa.

5. Penataran Agung Temple: It is located at the center. There are 3 shrines in the temple and dedicated to Siwa, Sadha Siwa, and Parama Siwa or often called as “ Tri Purusa". 

As one of the famous tourist objects in Bali, the complex of Besakih temple is completed with some supporting tourism facilities, like:

1. Restaurants, that offer many kinds of Indonesian and International foods.  

2. Souvenir shops, that offer many kinds of handicraft products.

3. Food stalls, that offer many kinds of traditional foods.

4. Wide parking areas.

5. Toilets and so on. 




Reference: Mr. Sudarma (English Teacher of Prima Santhi English Course) 
Writer and Editor: Padma Negara 


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