The Pura Besakih is the biggest and most important temple on the island of Bali. It’s located on the slopes of Mount Agung. The complex itself consists out of many temples and one ‘mother temple’; the Pura Penataran Agung. A long stairs will guide you to a ‘candi bentar’ (split gate) made out of granite. Tourists are not allowed in this temple but you can look over the walls to get a glimpse of it.

History; Back in 1917 there was a big earthquake which destroyed a big part of the Pura Besakih. The temple was rebuild and in 1963 the Mount Agung errupted. On the preparation of the biggest ceremony, the ‘Eka Dasa Rudra’ (which is only once in an era), the Balinese heard that the mountain began to rumble after being silent for 120 years. On the day of the ceremony, black smoke was coming out of the mountain and soon after, it erupted. It was a miracle that the temple didn’t got a lot of damage, because it’s located only 6km from the volcano. Though, the Balinese believe that this eruption was a punishment from the Gods, because the ceremony was held at the wrong time. The volcano eruption of 1963 destroyed hundreds of nearby villages and killed over one thousand people.

*tip: When you want to visit the Pura Besakih, you will notice the commercial activities around it (many shops and sometimes disturbing sellers). You will have to hire an ‘official guide’ at the entrance and you will probably get shocked about the prices they ask. No worries, try to bargain the price to Rp 50,000 or less. The guide will show you around, but don’t expect too much from him. These guides will probably talk more about their own (poor) lives then about the temple, but as a tourist you’re basically obligated to hire one.