Besakih Temple, Bali, Indonesia
3.5 (2.673 reviews) Sunday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Ranking #12 in Karangasem Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Watchout with the seller
Over a thousand years old, Besakih Temple is known as the "Mother Temple of Bali". Perched on the slopes of Mount Agung, at a lofty 1000 metres (3000 feet)Pura Besakih is the paramount Hindu temple on Bali. Located high on the slopes of the volcano Mt. Agung, it has developed over more than a thousand years into a great complex of 22 separate temples, the largest and central being Pura Penataran Agung. The annual cycle of more than 70 rituals, which symbolically link the temples into a whole, culminates in the centenary ceremony called Ekadasa Rudra, last held in 1979. The temple complex, state-supported since the 15th century, has undergone a series of architectural and ritual changes.
Address
Jl. Raya Besakih, Indonesia.
Working hours
Monday : 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday : 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday : 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday : 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday : 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday : 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday : 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Current local date and time now
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 6:36
User Ratings
3.5 based on (2.673 reviews)
Reviews
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3Sonny 5:00 PM Nov 5, 2022
Early morning visit or don't go!
We went to see the temple complex in the early morning. This was a perfect choice: we avoided the usual masses of other tourists (we were the only tourists there for some time!) and almost all street sellers are still at home or don't expect you yet. (In a suprised voice: "Mister? Special cheap early morning price for banana?") Be wary for the street sellers: they outright LIE to you that certain things (sarongs, offerings, hats, etc) are required/necessary while they are not. The "de-touristified" complex is worth 5 stars, but the 'touristic experience' the worth 1-2 stars for the very invasive, unrelenting and irritating street sellers. Be wary for guides who just start to guide you without agreement and charge you heavily afterwards (make it clear at the start of your visit that you don't plan to give them anything and they will leave). Also prepare for little children employed by their nearby family who try to sell you things by invoking compassion. Go in the early morning, it's worth it! And don't be there after ~8.30 am to prevent disappointment.
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3Traveler O 5:00 PM Feb 16, 2020
Temple by Volcano, beware of scams
The temple itself is situated at the base of Mount Agung,an active volcano, and right at the edge of the exclusion zone as the volcano continues to erupt and has done so the last few years. Be mindful of current warnings as if there is an eruption there's essentially one road in/out and it's along the saddle of a caldera rim in the woods separating Agung from another volcano. Gorgeous views when it's clear, but to enjoy these it's best to come in the early morning or just before dusk when the clouds clear as the volcano tends to have cloud cover for much of the day-much of the year. You do NOT need to purchase a sarong on your way in. A rented sarong is included in the price of admission, but locals will try to scam you as you walk towards the temple insisting you must buy one. None of this is true, so just keep walking and save your money. Our own cab driver, from Ubud, stated his apologies and was ashamed how the locals here acted. The temple itself has many off-limits areas, so there's not alot for you to see unless the sky is clear. If it is, you'll be treated to a very up close view of massive Mt Agung. It's about a 2-2.5 hour drive here from Ubud.
