Besakih Temple Bali (Pura Besakih) – Visitor’s Guide

Besakih Temple is known for being the Mother Temple of Bali and is known locally as Pura Besakih.

The temple is called that way due to the origin of the word Pura which is a Balinese Hindu temple.

This massive temple complex dates back to 1007 AC, and it survived a huge and devastating volcanic eruption in 1963 which sadly killed hundreds of people.

Being the largest and holiest temple of Bali, it consists of 86 temples and there is no doubt you will have a great time exploring it. I guarantee you’ll be amazed by its beauty and complexity.

I have put together this complete guide for visiting including how to get here, the best time to visit, things to do when you arrive, and much more!

WHERE IS BESAKIH TEMPLE?

Located at the foot of Mount Agung volcano in East Bali is where you can find the majestic Pura Besakih.

Click here to see the location on Google maps.

From the main tourist hubs of Canggu, Seminyak, and Kuta, it’s approximately a 2.5-hour drive.

If you happen to be staying in Ubud, it’s a shorter distance which takes around 2 hours.

I can also recommend spending a couple of days in the small coastal town of Amed when visiting Besakih Bali.

HOW TO GET TO PURA BESAKIH BALI

The best way to get to Besakih Mother Temple is by car or by scooter.

You can rent a scooter from the main tourist areas of Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, or Ubud and make the drive out to East Bali at your own pace.

Don’t feel confident riding a scooter? Another great option for getting around Bali is to hire a private car and a driver for the day and experience all that the island has to offer.

Includes:

• Experienced driver & guide
• Hotel pick-up & drop-off
• Drinking water
• Petrol

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BESAKIH TEMPLE ENTRANCE FEE

To enter Pura Besakih Bali the cost is 30,000 IDR per adult.

The fee is to be paid at the ticket booth at the entrance of the temple and this includes access to all temples which constitute the site.

The entrance fee also includes a sarong which is used to cover your legs and is mandatory to enter the temples.

EAST BALI TOUR

Another alternative when planning a visit to East Bali is to book a full-day tour to see all the highlights.

The Best Of East Bali Tour is the most top-rated tour with great reviews and hundreds of bookings.

This tour covers some of the best highlights in East Bali including Pura Lempuyang, Ujung Water Palace, Tirta Gangga, and more!

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TIPS FOR VISITING

It’s a good idea to bring cash with you in case you feel like purchasing some drinks, snacks, or souvenirs during your visit to the temples.

There are typically local women selling sarongs in the parking lot, but you do not need to buy one as a sarong is included in the entrance fee.

However, feel free to buy your own sarong, as it is a unique piece to have, and you’ll also be helping the locals make a small profit which goes a long way here in the villages.

RELATED ARTICLE → 2 WEEK BALI ITINERARY

There are many guides that you can book online or outside the temple, however, they can be expensive and most of them are not local guides.

So my recommendation is that you wait until you get inside because there will be plenty of local guides who do not ask for any money for their time.

However, a small tip to your guide is appreciated, something around 50,000 IDR is usually recommended.

BEST TIME TO VISIT PURA BESAKIH

Besakih Temple Bali is open all year round, so you will be able to visit at any time during your visit to the Island of Gods.

Although the temple is open 24/7 for worshipers, the opening time for other visitors is Monday to Sunday, from 8 am to 6 pm.

With an annual average temperature of 27 degrees, the days can be very warm, so my advice to you, if you want to enjoy your time exploring the temples, aim to get there by 8 am or later in the afternoon around 5 pm because the temperatures are nice and also because these hours are usually not too busy.

Another thing worth knowing is that April hosts the Besakih Temple ceremony Odalan which is an unforgettable experience.

Do not forget to bring your camera with you and take some unique photos!

WHAT TO EXPECT AT BESAKIH TEMPLE

Besakih Mother Temple is enveloped by Mount Agung which makes it a singular place with breathtaking views of the mountains and its unique nature.

Just the views of the island from the temple are already more than enough to guarantee that your visit here will be well worth it.

MUST READ → BEST CAMERA GEAR FOR TRAVEL

There are more than 70 holistic ceremonies throughout the year, so chances are high that you will be able to attend one while visiting the temple.

While at the temple, you can also expect that there will be a lot of walking as there are at least 86 temples to explore on the side of the hill, the main and largest one being the Pura Penataran Agung.

One interesting fact is that each temple has its own holistic meaning and represents something different, so even if you decide not to have a local guide, you should do some reading to make your time at the site more enjoyable and didactic.

FACILITIES AT THE TEMPLE

Pura Besakih Bali is equipped with toilet facilities and a large parking lot to accommodate visitors arriving by car or scooter.

You’ll also find a number of warungs (small local restaurants) which are usually small family-owned businesses.

The warungs are located at the entrance which is perfect if you wish to purchase some snacks before or after exploring the temples.

There are also a number of retail stores where you can buy some unique souvenirs for yourself or a gift for a loved one.

However, be aware that these can be overpriced, so be sure to put your bartering skills to the test!

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Because this temple is a sacred religious site, you have to know that there are some common rules for visiting that you must respect and abide by;

• Your legs must be covered to enter the temple
• No kissing is allowed as it’s a Hindu temple
• No drones are permitted

SUMMARY

With all of the above, there is no excuse for you not to experience Pura Besakih Temple while visiting Bali.

This huge temple is the most important in Bali’s history, and you will be amazed by its singularity, dimension, and especially its importance to the locals.

If you decide to rent a guide, you will learn more about the history of the temples and how they survived throughout the years.

MUST READ: 21 BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORIES FOR ANY TRIP

Visiting and exploring Besakih Mother Temple is without any doubt the most authentic way for you to immerse yourself in the Balinese culture.

Be sure to add this place to your Bali itinerary, as I promise you will not regret it!

WHERE TO NEXT?

Ubud is not too far away from this location and boasts many amazing things to do such as rainforest yoga retreats, traditional arts and crafts, other-worldly rice terraces, raging waterfalls, monkey forests, and much more.

Ubud is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature for a few days away from the rat race.

Whether you want to unwind and relax or adventure and explore, Ubud offers the best of both worlds.

Click on the links below to discover awesome things to do in Ubud:

• Tegallalang Rice Terraces
• Ubud Elephant Sanctuary
• 10 Best Restaurants In Ubud
• Yellow Waterfall

BEST TOURS IN BALI

WHAT TO PACK FOR BALI

When visiting Bali, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

FINAL THOUGHTS – BESAKIH TEMPLE BALI

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about Besakih Mother Temple, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

THANKS FOR READING

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