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Besakih Temple is the largest temple on the island of Bali, located in the eastern area, precisely in the village of Besakih, Rendang, Karangasem Regency, Bali. Besakih Temple is the center of activity for all temples in Bali and this temple is a place of prayer for Hindus on the island of Bali and consists of 1 temple center which is named Penataran Agung Besakih Temple and there are 18 companion temples that are around the Pura Penataran Agung Besakih. The 18 accompanying temples include 1 Besukian temple and 17 other temples. In this area, Hyang Resi Markendya received God's revelation for the first time, the forerunner of the Hindu Dharma now in Bali, as its center. The largest temple in Bali and in Indonesia is indeed famous for its beautiful architecture and beautiful natural scenery where tourists can gaze at the green surroundings and Mount Agung far away.
Penataran Agung Besakih Temple is the largest temple in Bali, this temple has many places for praying. For the Balinese, a visit to the temple at Besakih Temple is a special pilgrimage. Each temple has its own ceremony, or birthday celebration, and on the full moon of the Balinese month "Kedasa" the entire Besakih complex celebrates the visit of the gods, with large crowds of visiting pilgrims. For the people of Bali Pura Besakih is the huluning universe of Bali or "the head of the island of Bali". The head is the uppermost part of the structure of a normal human body. The head has a very important position, which the Balinese call the place of Siwadwara, namely as the entrance and exit of the Supreme Spirit (Shiva) by means of the crown.
The name Besakih comes from the word Wasuki or Basuki which means salvation in classical Sanskrit (ancient Javanese). Meanwhile, in Samudramanthana mythology, the name Besuki refers to the Dragon God "Naga Besukian" who is on Mount Agung, the main volcano on the Island of the Gods. The Besakih Temple Complex was built based on natural balance with the Tri Hita Karana concept, the arrangement is adjusted based on the cardinal directions. It is intended that the structure of the building represents nature as a symbolism for this balance. Each of the cardinal directions is called a mandala with the ruling god called "Dewa Catur Lokapala" and the central mandala as its axis, so that the five mandalas are manifested as "Panca Dewata".
Besakih Temple Complex consists of 1 Central Temple (Besatih Great Upper Temple) and 18 Companion Temples (1 Basukian Temple and 17 Other Pura). Pura Penataran Agung is the center of the temple complex as well as the main place of worship in Bali which has three statues of the symbol of Tri Murti, namely God Brahma, God Vishnu, and God Shiva who is the symbol of the Creator God, the Lord of Preservation, and the God of Melting. Besakih Temple is also the first place where he received the revelation of God by Hyang Rsi Markendya, the forerunner of the future Hindu Dharma Religion in Bali. So it is not surprising if this temple includes Pura Sad Kahyangan Jagad or Pura which is revered not only by the people of Besakih, but also the whole community of The Islands of God.
History begins when a resi named Rsi Markandeya ascetic on Mount Demulung and then moved to Mount Hyang which is in Central Java. For a long time he was a hermit and finally he received a revelation from Hyang Widhi Wasa and his followers crossed the forest on the island of Dawa (now called Pulau Bali) after completion, so that the land was distributed to his followers. Then he left for Bali with his first followers of 8000 people with the necessary equipment and equipment. Arriving at his destination, he ordered his followers to start encroaching on the forest. But when crossing the forest, many of his followers got sick, then died and some were eaten by wild animals. because it is not preceded by the yadnya ceremony (offering). Then he ordered his followers to stop the hijacking. With a sad heart he then invited his followers to return to Java. He returned to his hermitage again to ask for guidance to Hyang Widhi. After a long time he was in hermitage, his ambition came back to continue to conquer the forest. One fine day, he returned to Bali. This time he invited his second followers to number 4000 people from the village of Aga, namely the residents who live on the slopes of Mount Rawung. Also in the group were the Pandita or the Rsi. His followers brought equipment along with agricultural tools and seedlings to be planted in a new place. Upon arriving at the destination, Rsi Markandeya immediately practiced meditative yoga meditation with the other yogis and performed the yadnya ceremony, namely Dewa Yadnya and Buta Yadnya. After the ceremony was over, his followers were told to work to continue crossing the forest, cutting down trees and others starting and south to north. As it was seen that there were enough forests to be cleared, the forest clearing was stopped and he began holding land divisions for his followers, each into paddy fields, farms and housing. Rsi Markandya's followers from Aga Village have lived there until now. At the beginning of the beginning of the logging of the forest by Sang Rsi Markandya planted a jug (caratan) containing water accompanied by 5 types of metals namely: gold, silver, copper, bronze and iron called "Panca Datu" and Mirahadi gem (the main diamond) accompanied by ceremonial means more and sprinkled Tirta Pangentas (holy water). The place to plant 5 types of metal is named Basuki which means safe. Why is it called that, because on the second arrival of Rsi Markandya and his 4000 followers survived did not encounter any obstacles or disasters as experienced at his first arrival. In that place then the highest was established. Sooner or later the place was erected a temple or khayangan named Pura Basukian.
This temple is the forerunner of the other temples in the Besakih Temple complex. There is an opinion that says that the construction of the temple there began since Isaac 85 or 163 AD. The development of the temple complex in Pura Besakih is gradual and sustainable with the restoration and repair efforts carried out continuously from time to time. The history of Besakih Temple is very much in the hearts of the people of Bali until now.