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Pura Besakih, one of the most sacred sites in Bali is perched high on the slopes of Bali's Mount Agung and is widely referred to as the "Mother Temple" of Hinduism in Bali. The name of Pura Besakih is probably derived from the snake Basuki that features in Hindu mythology. The temple has a car park at the entrance, where tourists can hire a guide from among several Balinese of all ages who offer their services as guides. These people can speak broken English and know only the main facts about the temple. If you do hire a guide, then negotiate the price in advance (about 10,000 rupiahs). On an ordinary day, one might not find this terrace temple built mainly of dark-colored lava stone impressive. However, if one visits Pura Besakih temple during the time of the annual temple festival, one cannot help but marvel at the place. During the annual temple festival of Pura Besakih, tens of thousands of Hindus from all over the island and from farther a field throng to the temple, which is elaborately decorated at the time of its annual "birthday" festival (the odalan festival). Though there are more colorful and more elaborately decorated temples on Bali, but to the Hindus none is so important as the Pura Besakih, the "Mother of All Temples". In addition to the odalan festival, the Pura Besakih also serves as the prestigious venue of Bali's most important temple festival, the Eka Dasa Rudra, which is celebrated every hundred years. The Eka Dasa Rudra festival last took place in 1979. Location of Pura Besakih The temple of Pura Besakih lies in a luxuriant tropical landscape, located at the foot of Gunung Agung, which forms a magnificent backdrop. The setting looks particularly stunning in the clear morning light.
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