Besakih temple is the 4th most important temple in Bali. It is dedicated to the protector of the universe and is called "The Mother".
The gate or doorway that you see in the middle, supposedly will shut should an evil spirit attempt to enter. Yes, in order to get into the temple, we had to walk up all of those steps.
Looking down from the top of the steps, do you see the buildings all the way in the back right, that is where we parked the bus.
The doors and stone carvings are just incredible. Besakih temple is made up of 22 smaller temples that all lead up to the main spire Meru structure called Pura Penataran Agung. I'll be taking you up there. The view is amazing.
This is one of the temples within the temple complex.
Because it was pouring rain, all of the women in our group were ushered to a shelter in the courtyard from which we could perform the offering and worship ceremony. Notice all the little rug rats we aqcuired.
The temple's priest was a woman. According to our Tour Leader, they have made many visits to this temple over the years and this was the first time that a woman presided over the offering/worship.
This is what the offering plate looks like. Of course, due to the rain, everyone's incense stick went out. I passed my plate back to one of the others on my tour because I was not going to take part in the ceremony.
One of the other women on the tour, surrounded by the little children trying to sell her post cards. "One dollar, lady."
During the offering/worship ceremony, two of the women on my tour hold the incense sticks and inhale the smoke. The smoke acts to purify, if I remember correctly.
The men in our group getting very wet going through their offering.
This is how you hold up your flower offering.
After the offerings are made, the priest comes and sprinkles holy water on everyone and puts rice on their foreheads.
One of the three front doorways in to the temple. This one, if you were outside looking at the temple was to the right.
The temple complex was built in the 1300s (14th century) and was almost destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1963. The lava flow missed the temple by feet, however the initial erruption killed 1700 worshipers.
One of the temple dogs. We saw a lot of dogs wandering around. No cats though. Animals are sacrificed in the temples. According to our local guide, the animals stand for a characteristic and by sacrificing the animal, it sets a person's foul free from that attachment. Only black and white puppies are sacrificed but only ever 10 or 15 years, I can't remember what the guide said. The word dog also translates to "no good", so by sacrificing the dog, the person sets their soul free from all the 'no good' in their soul. Other animals sacrificed are ducks, geese, cocks and pigs.
A beautiful door on one of the temple buildings.
The next series of photos are of the smaller temple complexes we walked by as we ascended up to the Pura Penatarang Agung. I probably could have spent all day here photographing the different temples and buildings. Beautiful, intricate patterns.
Another temple dog. I'm not sure if these dogs belong to anyone or are strays that get by with eating garbage or hand outs. This one growled at me as I stopped to take a picture. Don't worry, I was keeping my distance.
This is me, didn't mean to post such a large picture. Behind me are shops leading up to the main temple spire. Jesus would not have been happy with this. Even though I have never visited the Holy Land, seeing how these temples were set up gave me some new insite into how the temples must have been in the time of Jesus.
Some scary masks at one of the shops. I'll be honest, I considered getting one of these for my 8 year old nephew, however, I decided they were too scary looking. Heck, I'd freak out seeing one of these hanging from my wall during the day time.
Two of the ladies making the treck to Pura Penataran Agung.
Here I am on the road with Pura Penataran Agung behind me. We are almost there.
I was so disappointed in my camera for doing this to this photo. One of the dragon/sea monster heads crowing the banister leading up the stairs into Pura Penataran Agung.
This is the detail of the floor infront of the stairs. I don't know what the circles symbolize. They made a very interesting pattern. Its wild to think these may have been here since the 1300s.
Ascending the steps into the main spire. My camera lense got fogged up from all the rain and humidity.
With the gray clouds, the gateway into Pura Penatarang Agung looks kind of scary.
Detail of the railing surrounding the temple.
Throne for one of the temple gods.
Detail of the door way. I increased the color saturation so that the details stand out more.
Not sure what god this is over the doorway, but the detail is amazing. This part of the temple dates from around the 17th century (1600s).
The view from the door's threshold. Its almost like you can see the whole world from up here.
More scary masks at a shop.
From here on out, the photos are of the various temple complexes we walked past on our way down. I loved all the gardens.
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