Pura Besakih, also referred as the Mother Temple slumps in the village of Besakih. The famous temple of Indonesia can be traced sprawling on the slopes of Mount Agung volcano in eastern Bali. It is deemed as the largest Hindu temple in the island and is located 1000 meters up the side of Gunung Agung.
Architecture
Group of Temples: Pura Besakih is expounded as an extensive complex comprising of some twenty three separated temples belonging to each other. Pura Penataran Agung among all is the largest and prime temple.
Gateways: Pura Besakih has a grand and impressive entrance called Candi Bentar (a split gateway). What lies beyond this entrance is even more enthralling! There is a second gateway, Kori Agung awaiting to be crossed after one has entered Candi Bentar. Kori Agung leads to the second courtyard.
Terraces & Stairs: There are many stepped terraces and flights of stairs in the temple. These lead to many courtyards and brick gateways, which eventually take the visitors to the Meru structure, the main spire.
Pura Penataran Agung: Pura Penataran Agung is the chief sanctuary of the complex and also referred as Meru structure. The lotus throne of the temple, known as padmasana is the symbolic centre of this sanctuary.
In the year 1963, Mount Agung volcano erupted many times. The series of eruptions took many lives away but temple complex was not damaged. It is said that the lava was just meters away from the temple but didn’t reach it. The natives consider it a miracle, and it has instilled people’s faith in the verticals constructed as God’s abodes.