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PURA Agung Besakih is the largest and most magnificent temple in Bali. The location of Pura Besakih in Besakih Village, Rendang District, is on the southwest slope of Mount Agung, which is the highest mountain in Bali.
Quoted from the official website of the Karangasem Regency Government, Besakih Temple was deliberately built in a village that is considered sacred because of its high location, which is called Hulundang Basukih which later became Besakih Village.
Access from Denpasar City to reach this place is about 25 km to the north from Semarapura City, Klungkung Regency. The journey to Pura Besakih passes through the panoramic view of Bukit Jambul which is also one of the objects and tourist attractions of Karangasem Regency.
The name Besakih is taken from Sanskrit, wasuki or in Old Javanese basuki which means safe. In addition, the name Besakih Temple is also based on the mythology of Naga Basuki as a counterweight to Mount Mandara.
The Besakih Temple Complex was built based on the natural balance in the Tri Hita Karana concept. The arrangement is adjusted based on the cardinal directions so that the structure of the building can represent nature as a symbol of this balance.
Each of the cardinal directions is called a mandala with the ruling god called “Dewa Catur Lokapala” where the central mandala is the axis, so that the five mandalas are manifested as “Panca Dewata”.
The description of the building structure of Pura Besakih based on the concept of the cardinal directions, are: (1). Pura Penataran Agung Besakih as the center of the mandala in the Middle direction and is the largest temple of the existing temple group, which is devoted to worshiping Lord Çiwa. (2). Dark Temple in the East direction to worship Lord Içwara.
(3). Pura Kiduling Kereteg in the South direction to worship Lord Brahma, (4). Ulun Kulkul Temple in the West direction to worship God Mahadeva, (5). Batumadeg temple in the north to worship Lord Vishnu.
In addition, many megalithic relics, such as menhirs, stone thrones, and pyramid terraces found in the temple complex indicate that Besakih originated from a very old era, long before the influence of Hinduism. [kontan.co.id/photo special]
