But again we were stopped by two men dressed in white who asked us to rent a sarong for 20, INDR each So by now we rented our sarong from these thugs out of shear harassment. I know it is not much but it simply felt we were being gouged every step of the way Then, after walking for about min uphill we finally reached the temple gates, and we were greeted by a friendly Balinese man dressed in some sort of a uniform and a tag.
We felt we could trust him and tell him our troubles just to get to the gates So after much disatisfaction, he gave up and ran after another foreign couple. Then, then, then, and of course, we were surrounded by kids selling postcards, t-shirts, drinks, camera men trying to take our pictures for a huge sum. To conclude, this place really ruined our impression of Bali's most sacred grounds at least one of the them.
Our hearts felt very heavy and we didn't get one moment of peace from these crooks. My advice to those who want to visit just my honest opinion, I have nothing to gain I forgave them as we were walking around the complex but for a moment, I did feel a strong urge to curse them for making outsiders so uncomfortable and cheated.
I do understand they have to make a living and I full heartedly support that One more thing Thanks for reading and sorry if those real comments of people who really had a good time were offended I am simply stating my own experience. Enjoy and see for yourself. Angie-Bruce Ayr, Scotland 72 contributions.
We went to visit the Besakih temple, expecting to find a beautiful, peaceful temple, instead we were surrounded by locals trying to get money from us. We bought our tickets at the entrance and drove into the car park, where the problems started. On leaving the car park we were ushered over to a cabin with a desk and told that we had to have a guide.
We explained that we didn't want one, as we enjoy wandering about by ourselves - they kept insiting so we just walked off. At this point we were surrounded by motor bikes with the riders telling us they would give us a lift to the temple as its 2km uphill. We said we would walk but it took a while for them to accept no for an answer. One of the guides caught up with us and said he had to come into the temple with us - we said we wouldn't pay him on principal we think its up to us to decide if we want to pay for a guide so he got annoyed and said - its not much to you.
Once he realised he wasn't getting any money out of us he went away. We decided to buy a bottle of water but, not being used to the prices or the money, realised after we had paid, that we had been conned out of 10 times the usual price.
When we got to the temple which is actually only about metres up the hill, so really no need to use the motorbikes, we were again surrounded by guides insiting we had to use their services. We could see people inside the temple without guides so pretended we didn't speak English and eventually they gave up. While wandering round the temple, we saw a little local girl pulling a baby along in a cardboard box with a rope as the handle, we thought 'oh thats cute' and without thinking, took a picture - I know, a silly mistake.
The little girl immediately came over to us and asked for money. On this occasion we gave her some change so she then asked for more money for the baby - we didn't give her any more which annoyed her parents who were sitting nearby and they started shouting at us. While we were wandering round we were constantly approached by local women selling postcards. The temple itself is beautiful but we did not get the peace to enjoy it and felt the whole experience was spoiled by the locals continually hassling us for money.
We appreciate that they have problems with the loss of tourism since the Bali bombings but the more they bother people the fewer tourists they will get. We found the whole experience intimidating and irritiating although we are reasonably confident, experienced travellers which was a real shame as we were looking forward to it.
Peng Boon T Singapore 1, contributions. I paid 35, rupiahs entry fees for my wife and I but the tickets showed 15, rupiahs each. There was no explanation of what happened to the 5, rupiahs. If we wanted to go near the temple complex or enter the temple complex, we would have to engage a temple guide for , rupiahs. A temple guide followed us as we walked towards the point indicated by the official.
Finally I engaged the temple guide as I could not get rid of him, when he lowed his fee to 50, rupiahs and because it would be a pity not to visit the temple complex after travelling a few hours to reach it. We were also unfortunate that we could not see Mt Agung as it was covered completely by clouds. After walking a short distance into the temple complex, the temple guide asked to be paid.
He even claimed that it should be 50, rupiahs per person. I paid him 50, rupiahs for 2 persons. After a short prayer given by the priest, the temple guide said that we should donate , rupiahs each. We ignored him and donated 10, rupiahs each.
The temple guide then said that it should be at least 50, rupiahs each. Then, instead of showing us the rest of the temple, he showed us the way out. Sometimes they can be very aggressive. I just spent 5 weeks here exploring beautiful Bali coming from Portland, OR and the so-called official workers at this holy temple are absolutely horrible, corrupt and antithetical to the temple experience and they should be dismantled from the tourism industry and barred from being employed here.
Pura Besakih is a magnificent temple in Bali, but you are led astray the second you pay the 60,idr entrance fee actually required, as usual.
I learned the hard way that absolutely no guide is required to see this temple or any temple in Bali. His educational insights were technically interesting but I could tell he wanted to rush me through the place ASAP so he could get to the next customer.
This is not required. In fact, my guide made the offering himself at the top of the temple. Oy, so funny and ridiculous at the same time. Not required. Just walk up m if you can. We were all suckers. Ridiculous scams aside, the front of the temple is actually very beautiful. Everyone wants their picture taken there.
The front temple was the only part I saw that was intriguing for me. Also, it was overcast, so no view of Mt. Agung beyond. The scams plastered onto tourists by the aggressive, shameful locals are enough for me to tell you to stay away. Which is too bad because legitimate holy processions and ceremonies with actual worshippers must be beautiful here.
Totally agree with previous reviews. Ubud is a lovely place but our trip to the Mother Temple was totally spoilt by all the scams.
Would definitely NOT recommend a visit. There are other more beautiful places to visit. First we were overcharged entry. The ticket price didn't reflect what we were charged. Then we were told we had to have a tour guide and make a donation. They expected a donation of , rupiah!! The visitor book had obviously been doctored to mislead new tourists. Our hotel manager had already told us that 20, rupiah was the norm! We were fuming and all set to leave until one of the guides said he would take us and we could just pay him what we wanted.
But he just rushed us around and didn't even want to wait while we took photos. Plus he said we couldn't go in most of the temples unless we were praying where again they expected a donation. By the end of the visit we felt totally unwelcome and really the whole spiritual feeling of the place is missing.
Don't go. It's a real shame because Bali is a lovely place and the local people are on the whole very friendly and welcoming. Hwee Chong Chua Singapore, Singapore contributions. Should be renamed Mother Temple of Thugs. When our local guide told us that there are some very bad people here, we should have taken the warning and have given this place a miss. The entire experience here was horrible. The Pura Besakih temples are thought to date back to the 14th century, however some locals date them back as early as the 10th century.
Constructed on seven ascending levels, Pura Penataran Agung is the epicenter of the temple district. A giant stairway, decorated by carved figures from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, allows pilgrims to ascend to the top. Multicolored banners flying around Pura Penataran Agung denote the temple's dedication to Shiva , the destroyer god of Hinduism. The other gods of the Hindu trimurti are also remembered in Pura Besakih; Pura Batu Madeg , devoted to Vishnu the preserver , can be found to the northwest of the aforementioned temple, with gorgeous spires reaching out to the sky.
And Pura Kiduling Kreteg , devoted to Brahma the creator, lies across a gully to the southeast. These and 19 other temples spread across the complex represent the holiest of holies for the devout Balinese, who come to bring gifts for the gods and take back holy water from here to use in temple ceremonies in their home villages.
Each of the individual temples in Pura Besakih has its own odalan, or temple festival; you're almost certain to come across one being celebrated whenever you visit the temple complex. But for the biggest temple festivals in Pura Besakih, you should time your visit to one of the following dates:.
The Balinese believe the gods of all temple shrines on Pura Besakih simultaneously descend to earth during Batara Turun Kabeh, and villagers from all over the island converge to offer them sacrifices and celebrate. Watch the purification pilgrimage, where Balinese make a slow procession bearing heirlooms and holy objects, all to be sanctified in the temple's holy waters.
The date corresponds to the Balinese saka calendar, and occurs on the following dates relative to the western Gregorian calendar:. Odalan of Pura Penataran Agung: the odalan temple festival of Besakih's biggest single temple occurs every days.
Come for the spectacle of thousands of Balinese converging on the stairs ascending the terraces, and praying facing the largest temple bearing altars to the Hindu trimurti. The date corresponds to the Balinese pawukon calendar, and occurs on the following dates relative to the western Gregorian calendar:. Pura Besakih and other loosely-connected Hindu temples around Mount Agung can be explored on a day trip from Ubud or Denpasar. Tourists can wander from temple to temple; each site differs according to deity and purpose.
The Pura Besakih temple complex is extremely active; scores of different Hindu ceremonies are held throughout the year. Pura Pentataran Agung and other temples may be closed to tourists during special worship days - ask in Ubud before making the journey to Pura Besakih.
While tourism has caused the region around the temple complex to explode in growth, the popularity has attracted a horde of guides, touts, and hawkers hoping to relieve visitors of extra cash.
Pura Besakih is open from sunrise to dusk , however tour buses begin to pour in around 9 a. Besakih Temple is located in Besakih countryside, Rendang sub district, Karangasem regency, east part of the island. It is located in southwest side bevel of mount Agung, the biggest mounts in Bali.
It is because pursuant to Agung Mount confidence is holiest and highest mount in Bali Island. It has been regarded as a holy place since pre-historic times in Bali. The first recorded mention of its existence is from an inscription that dates from A. Since the Gelgel dynasty of the fifteenth century it has been regarded as a central, holy temple for the entire island. All the allegiances of the Balinese people come together at Besakih.
Each regency has its own temple within the over-all compound, as do each of the caste groups.
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