• Besakih Temple is blessed as the head temple of Bali, Hindu. It locates north of Kulungkung, in the middle of "Blessed Mountain Agung", 60 km from Denpasar, 950m high altitude. Besakih Temple is not one temple but collectively called one name from more than 30 temples. In center of the temple, there is a biggest one, Temple Panataran Agung and around it about 30 temples surround. And further more, there are eight temples to protect each kingdom and temples for distinguished families. In those temples, it is said that Kulungkung Kingdom is in the best place because of its history. History of the temple starts 10th century and the place, in which the temple was built, has been a holy place as Balinese for religion to Mr. Agung even before Hindu religious spread. It became famous when it was used as funeral of King's family of Gelgel Kingdom in 16th century. Since then it has been blessed as the head temple of Bali Hindu by Balinese. Entrance has Hindu specific holy gate of white stones. It is blessed as "Mother Temple."

• It was same as usual that normal days are not crowed. But for the days of festival, 50 days a year, many colorful labarums are fluttering and people, wearing formal clothes, will come all around Bali with colorful presents for God.

• It takes 15 minutes by walking from parking to the temple and young people come to negotiate to ride a motorcycle, one dollar one way and two dollar return. Important advice is the time to visit. Because it lactates at high mountain, weather changes rapidly and then it is advised to visit there in the morning. This is at tropical climate but also at high altitude. Then weather becomes moderate and it can grow citrus fruits and vegetables.

Long slope, 1$ for bike	Besakih Temple	Before entrance	Sightseeing left, official gate center
Holy gate of white stones	Building before Temple	Bali specific pagoda, made of palm fronds, is called "mel"
Beautiful seven-storied pagoda	White cloth lady sings holy song and the voice is transmitted by speaker all around the temple.		Despite wind and rain, colorful color remains.
境内には入れず周りから見ます	5-story is familiar to us but this is 11-storied pagoda.		More than 30 temples in it.
Not crowded space in it.	Probably it is difficult to maintain palm fronds roof.

2004/06/01