Bali is one of the island in the Indonesian archipelago which consists of around 13,000 islands. The population is 3 million of which a large number follows the religion of Hindu. Hinduism is practiced by 93% of the Bali population, but also in Sumatera, Java (especially by the Tenggerese people on the east), Lombok and Kalimantan. These give an important value to the uniqueness of cultures in Indonesia. In Balinese word, temple is called ‘Pura’ (derived from Sanskrit word) which means sacred place for praying. Besakih Temple is the mother temple of Balinese Hinduism. The temple is located in the village of Besakih, Karangasem regency, east part of Bali, on the slopes of Mount Agung, the highest mountain in Bali. Besakih temple is a terraced templed built before 1,000 AD.
Stairs go up through a temple gate to the courtyard of the main temple, Pura Panataran Agung, where the central shrine dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva. Pura Penataran Agung complex is considered the center of Besakih temple with 53 shrines. Here are concentrated the shrines of “Merus”, they look like Pagoda in Thailand, made from black sugar palm fiber roofs-the highest with 11 roof-tops. There are 18 separate sanctuaries surrounding the main temple that is belonging to different regencies and caste groups. See from the name of gods worshiped in Besakih there is clear mixed concept between Hindu Gods, local believe and ancestors’ worship.
There are various ceremonies which are conducted in Besakih temple. There are 12 ceremonies conducted every 210 days. This is based on Hindu – Java calendar which is consist of 30 months and one month consist of 7 days. Each temple complex has it’s own ceremony based on this dates. Special ceremony based on Çaka year is conducted 6 times a year. This ceremony is called ” Ngusaba “, a kind of blessing ceremony. At the other village temples in Bali this type of ceremony is also conducted in relation with rice harvesting. A ceremony called ” Betara Turun Kabeh ” is conducted every year. ” Betara Turun Kabeh ” means all gods are presence. This is the biggest yearly ceremony. While a ceremony every 10 years called ” Paca Wali Krama”, and a ceremony every 100 years called ” Eka Dasa Rudra”. All dates for above ceremony can be known when Bali calendar has been issued.
Temple ceremonies (odalan) is an anniversary and purification ceremony, which lasts about 3, 11, and sometimes 42 days. The Balinese celebrate ceremony since the time inside the mother’s womb until marriage. The most important of the Balinese ritual is the funeral rites and cremation (Ngaben). The harmonious relationship between culture, nature and human activities has made Bali a very special tourist destination. This special part of Bali has make lot of the attention of artists, culturalists, and travelers from all over the world.