Besakih Temple Ceremonies

Besakih Temple, often referred to as the “Mother Temple” of Bali, is a site of great spiritual significance and cultural heritage. Located on the southwestern slopes of Mount Agung, it serves as the largest and holiest temple complex in Bali. The ceremonies conducted at Besakih are steeped in rich traditions, reflecting the island’s Hindu culture and the profound connection its people have with spirituality and nature. Visitors to the temple can witness a variety of ceremonies throughout the year, with each event intricately woven into the fabric of Balinese life, symbolizing gratitude, devotion, and communal unity.

Major Ceremonies and Their Significance

One of the most prominent ceremonies at Besakih is the Odalan, which celebrates the temple’s anniversary. This event occurs every 210 days according to the Balinese calendar, marking a significant occasion for the local community. During Odalan, devotees gather to honor the temple’s deities, presenting offerings of fruit, flowers, and rice, symbolizing their devotion and respect. These offerings are meticulously arranged and presented in elaborate baskets, which highlight the artistic skills of the Balinese people. The ceremony features vibrant processions, where participants dress in traditional attire, showcasing the island’s cultural richness. Dance performances, including the mesmerizing Kecak dance, often accompany the rituals, captivating audiences with their storytelling through movement and music.

Another significant ceremony is the Banten, a ritual of offerings made to the gods. This ceremony underscores the Balinese belief in maintaining harmony between the physical and spiritual worlds. The preparation for Banten involves intricate planning and craftsmanship, as families work together to create the offerings that will be presented at the temple. This act not only fosters community spirit but also allows individuals to express their devotion and gratitude for the blessings they receive. The rituals are a testament to the importance of family and community, as they gather to participate in these sacred acts together.

The Role of Nature in Ceremonial Practices

The ceremonies at Besakih are deeply intertwined with the natural environment, especially the majestic Mount Agung, which is considered sacred by the Balinese people. The mountain is viewed as the home of the gods, and its presence looms over the temple, lending a sense of power and reverence to the rituals. Many ceremonies are timed to coincide with natural events, such as the change of seasons, reinforcing the belief that the spiritual and physical realms are interconnected.

Moreover, the temple’s location, surrounded by lush rice paddies and vibrant landscapes, adds to the ambiance of the ceremonies. The natural beauty of the surroundings provides a serene backdrop for worship and reflection, allowing participants to feel a deeper connection to their faith and heritage. The spiritual significance of the ceremonies is enhanced by the sounds of nature—the rustling of leaves, the distant sounds of traditional gamelan music, and the gentle flow of nearby rivers—creating an atmosphere that resonates with tranquility and spiritual awakening.

The ceremonies at Besakih Temple represent a beautiful blend of spirituality, culture, and nature. Each event is an opportunity for the Balinese people to come together in devotion, celebrating their rich heritage while maintaining a strong connection to their beliefs and the environment. Whether one is a local resident or a visitor, witnessing these ceremonies offers a profound glimpse into the heart of Balinese culture, underscoring the importance of community, tradition, and the sacred bond between humanity and the divine.

Besakih temple tour

extra information

During your Besakih Temple Tour, your safety and convenience come first. Our vehicles are comfortable, air conditioned and we offer many extras to make your tour perfect. During our tours we provide sarongs for the visit to the temples and we have water bottles available. Our drivers are experienced and know Bali like the back of their hand.

All our tours are customizable to your personal needs and you can also hire one of our local drivers for a fully customized tour. Our drivers go to great lengths to give you the experience you’re looking for.

Sit back and enjoy your Balinese experience with a local safe driver.

Sama sama tours is a local family business with over 20 years’ experience. We have the best drivers who know all the hidden gems and can drive you safely around our beautiful island.

• Family owned business
• Safe drivers
• Honest drivers, transparent fees
• Airport transfers
• Half day tours
• Full day tours
• Customize tours

We are looking forward to show you the beauty of our island!

Besakih location

Besakih temple is located in Besakih Village, Rendang District, Karangasem Regency

Besakih Temple tour

dresscode & etiquette

Bali is known for its many beautiful temples. Most tourists will therefore visit various temples in Bali. The beauty of visiting the temples is the combination of culture, history and the beautiful sculptures and architecture. Each temple is more beautiful than the next, with impressive designs and beautiful details.

When visiting the temples, it is good to follow local etiquette. An important part of this is the dress code. A number of general rules apply to the dress code of the temples.

dresscode bali temples

Make sure your shoulders are covered and preferably wear long-sleeved clothing
For example, a loose-fitting blouse with long sleeves, or a scarf around your shoulders and arms (selendang). It is not allowed to wear spaghetti strap clothes and sleeveless tops when entering a temple. In addition, a low cleavage is also not done. The clothing should not be translucent and should not have holes.

Make sure your knees are covered
Sarong or clothing that covers the knees. In many temples a sarong is mandatory, which you can often rent at the entrance. It is not allowed to wear shorts, short skirts, leggings, denim and sportswear. Again, the clothing must not be translucent and must not contain any holes.

Dressing advice for temple visits for women
Wear a sarong with a non-revealing long-sleeved top and/or a scarf that neatly covers your shoulders and arms. When a sarong is not required, you can wear a maxi dress or jumpsuit, for example – as long as you make sure your shoulders are covered and the clothing is not revealing.

Dressing advice for temple visits for men
Wear a sarong with a non-revealing long-sleeved shirt. For men, the shoulders and legs must also be covered up to at least the knees. Where a sarong is not obligatory, a neat shirt that covers the knees will suffice in combination with a neat shirt that covers the shoulders.

Footwear
Sandals or closed shoes are sometimes allowed, but you may also be asked to enter the temple barefoot. As you will notice, the footwear is also often taken off when entering shops and homes.

Accessories
It is not proper to wear a hat and sunglasses when entering a temple. Turn it off as soon as you enter the temple.

etiquette bali temples

Other Bali Temple etiquettes
The Balinese temples are very sacred places for the local people and so it is important to respect their rules. In addition to the dress code, there are a number of important things when entering these sacred temples:

Taking pictures
It is allowed to take pictures at most temples, however it is not appreciated if you take pictures directly in front of or near the worshippers. When the Balinese are engaged in a ceremony, an appropriate distance is appreciated. Drones are not welcome.

Offerings
In many places in Bali, including at the temples, small offerings (canang sari) are placed. Much attention is paid to these offerings and they are very important to the Balinese Hindu community. You will also see that the offerings are made by Balinese in the traditional attire. You are not supposed to step on these sacrifices or walk over them. Make sure to walk around the offerings at a decent distance.

Menstruating
Something that is also important in the Balinese Hindu culture is that a woman who is menstruating is not allowed to enter a temple. Of course this is not easy to control, but if you want to respect the Balinese culture, women who are menstruating should not enter the temple.

Feet
Feet are considered unclean in the Balinese Hindu community. Therefore, according to the culture, it is important that the feet do not point to the altar and are not held high in the air.

Respect the Balinese culture
The Balinese temples are very important and are used extensively for ceremonies and prayers. Give space to the locals and make sure you don’t cause a nuisance. Show respect, don’t swear, do not enter areas closed to tourists and do not make noise in these sacred places. General matters as they apply worldwide in holy places include: not standing/climbing/sitting on the religious monuments, not disturbing the ceremonies and avoiding expressions of affection (kissing etc)

Learn more about the Besakih temple on Wikipedia.