Besakih Temple is the largest temple owned by Hindus, located in Besakih Village, Rendang District, Karangasem Regency. This temple complex consists of 18 temples spread across the Besakih Village area. Based on the layout, the division of the 18 temples is:Penataran Agung Temple (center),Kiduling Kreteg Temple (south),Batu Madeg Temple (north)Dark Temple (east)Ulun Kulkul Temple (west),Pengubengan Temple,Tirta TempleBanua Temple,Review Temple,Basukihan Temple,Merajan Kangin Temple,Merajan Selonding Temple,Goa Raja Temple,Bangun Sakti Temple,Manik Mas Temple,Dalem Puri Temple,Pesimpangan Temple,Hyang Galuh TemplePENATARAN AGUNG BESAKIH TEMPLE is the most central temple in the Besakih Temple complex, namely as a symbol of Sapta Loka which consists of seven mandalas. This was also strengthened by the establishment of Pelinggih Padma Tiga as a place of worship for Sang Hyang Widhi as Tri Purusa. The seven mandalas in this temple have different heights or steps following the direction of the higher mountain. To reach the mandala you will first pass through a series of 62 steps. On the left and right of the stairs there are rows of statues. The statue on the left is taken from a Mahabrata figure while the right one is taken from a Ramayana figure.The first mandala is in the form of an area between the temple of Bentar and Kori Agung which is marked by the presence of Bale Pegat in the middle of the yard. The part of the second mandala which is the main mandala has a higher position than the first Mandala, it is called the Main Mandala because of the presence of the Padma Tiga Pelinggih. Because of its higher position, from the second mandala you have to climb 28 steps to the third mandala. In this mandala there are 16 pelinggih.PENATARAN AGUNG BESAKIH TEMPLENext, from the third Mandala, go up to the fourth Mandala which has 10 pelinggihs with statues characterized by Shiva and Buddha, including the Surya Candra Statue Pelinggih which is known as the Shiva Buddha shrine. In the fifth mandala area there are 4 sacred buildings and shrines, while in the sixth mandala there are two shrines in the form of twin gedong, linggih Ida Ratu Pucak Kiwa and Ida Ratu Pucak Tengen. In the last Mandala, namely the seventh, there is no shrine, only an empty world. This is symbolic of Sunia's nature which reflects before the creation of the world. Kiduling Kreteg Temple is located to the east of Penataran Agung Besakih Temple.These two temples are connected by a bridge (Kreteg) which functions as a shortcut to get to Catur Lawa Temple, Penataran Agung Temple, and other temple complexes in the west. This temple faces south with the temple structure consisting of 3 courtyards, namely the main courtyard, central courtyard and outer courtyard. The structure of the temple courtyard is constructed with terraces in the form of terraces. On the main page there are the main shrines in the form of meru tumpeng solas (11), two meru tumpeng pitu (7), meru tumpeng five (5) and meru tumpeng three (3).KIDULING KRETEG TEMPLEKiduling Kreteg Temple was visited by 7 fathers including residents of Pasek Gelgel 2, Kayu Selem 3, Tangkas 1, and Pulasari 1. The main remains of this temple are menhirs where this type of remains is a medium for worshiping ancestral holy spirits originating from prehistoric (megalithic) times. . Another concept that also refers to the cultural roots of the megalithic tradition is the construction of a terraced temple structure, a concept that states the mountain is a sacred place where ancestral spirits reside.Batu Madeg Temple is to the northwest of Penataran Agung Temple. The temple structure consists of 3 courtyards (mandalas), namely the main mandala, the middle mandala, the nista mandala facing south. The appearance of this temple is different from other temples in the Besakih Temple complex, namely that the temple is momentary and the walls are still made of brick and solid wood, whereas other temples in the Besakih Temple complex use more black stone. After passing the Bentar temple, you will see the middle part of the mandala, then you can go to the main mandala, passing the steps and the Bentar temple. In this sectionthere are pelinggih and meru pelinggih Pura Gelap is located above Pura Penataran Agung Besakih. The material of this temple is dominated by black stone, which is why it is called Dark Temple because of the atmosphere that this material displays. However, the dark temple has a fairly large area where you can reach the temple through steps and a gate. To enter the innards of Central Jaba, you can go through one of the 3 large gates and stairs. The direction this temple faces is south.
