Bali guide › Religion and temples
Is Pura Besakih, Bali's mother temple, worth visiting?
Yes, for its spiritual weight more than for spectacular architecture. Besakih is the largest and holiest temple on Bali. It sits at about 1,000 m (3,300 ft) on the slopes of Mount Agung, roughly 40 km (25 miles) from Ubud, and it is not one temple but a complex of 23 separate temples stacked along parallel ridges. Every other temple on the island is symbolically linked to it, hence the nickname “mother temple”.
The most important is Pura Penataran Agung, the central sanctuary, whose stone terraces recall stepped pyramids and are among the oldest on the island. The name Besakih is said to come from Basuki, the sacred dragon believed to live in the mountain. According to tradition, a Javanese sage, Rsi Markandeya, received a vision here in the 8th century. In the 15th century the site became the state temple of the Gelgel dynasty. More recently, the eruption of 1963 threatened it, and the lava famously stopped short of the main complex.
What you will see:
- Split gates and stairways climbing to the courtyards, with Agung as a backdrop when the sky is clear.
- Tiered thatched roofs (meru) over the shrines.
- Worshippers at prayer during ceremonies.
Only Hindu worshippers enter the inner courtyards, so you look through the gateways.
Practicalities:
- Entry: 60,000 to 150,000 IDR ($3.50 to $8.50), depending on the source. The official ticket includes a sarong, a guide and a shuttle. Buy only at the official ticket office.
- Opening hours: roughly 7 or 8 am to 6 pm. Allow 2 to 3 hours, with a lot of steps.
- Scams: when you get off the shuttle, sellers may claim you “must” buy an offering, and others will offer the “famous photo” with a reflection, for a fee. You can politely decline.
Verdict: worth the detour for the sense of place and the setting, but don't expect an Angkor-style spectacle. Take the guide that comes with the ticket: it gives the site its meaning.
Tip: come before 10 am or late in the afternoon, away from the tour groups. On big ceremony days the site is at its best, but packed.
Prices, hours and access rules checked in October 2026; confirm before you go.
More landmarks in this section
- What is Bali's religion, and how is Balinese Hinduism different?
- Can you visit Tanah Lot, and what time should you go?
- What is Uluwatu Temple, and how do you visit respectfully?
- Can you join the Tirta Empul purification ritual (melukat)?
- What do Bali's canang sari offerings mean, and how to behave?
- What is Nyepi, the Day of Silence, and what should you do?
- Is Taman Ayun Temple worth visiting?
- What are the best temples to visit in Bali?