Pura Besakih in Bali: how to get to the Mother Temple and how much entry costs

Pura Besakih Temple stands on the slope of Mount Agung. It is away from Bali's resort south, so there are fewer tourists here than at Uluwatu or Tanah Lot. Yet this is the island's main sanctuary.

For foreign visitors, admission costs 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (as of 09/2026, pura-besakih.com). The complex is open daily from 07:00 to 18:00.

Below we cover the history, the layout of the terraces, opening hours and practical tips for your trip.

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Mother of temples

💡 In short:

• Pura Besakih is called the Mother of Temples: it is the main sanctuary of Balinese Hindus.
• Admission for foreigners costs 150,000 rupiah (as of 09/2026, pura-besakih.com).
• Arrive at opening time: later bus groups show up, and the summit of Agung gets covered by clouds.
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified against pura-besakih.com.

© ::::=UT=:::: · CC BY-SAPhoto: ::::=UT=::::, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Locals call Pura Besakih the mother of all temples. Here people pray to all the supreme gods of the Hindu pantheon at once. The complex occupies the slope of Agung and brings together more than twenty separate temples and shrines. For a Balinese person, visiting at least once in a lifetime is as important as a pilgrim reaching the main shrine of their faith.

History of construction

Buildings more than two thousand years old survive on the site of the current complex. These are fragments of staircases and remains of altars. The island's inhabitants were pagans back then and made sacrifices to their gods here.

In historical documents, Pura Besakih is first mentioned as an active temple in the eleventh century. Oral tradition names the founder as a wandering monk who set up a shrine on the site of a pagan sanctuary in the eighth century.

According to other legends, the complex was ordered built by Raja Kesari in the tenth century. There is no written evidence for this version. Researchers believe the ruler only expanded structures that already stood here.

No written records of services at the temple survive until the fifteenth century. When the ruler moved his residence to central Bali, the complex began to be mentioned as a place where rituals were regularly held. Since then, every supreme raja allocated funds for its upkeep.

Balinese people believe that the gods living in the temple protect people: it is enough to take shelter behind its walls. This was indirectly confirmed by the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963 (as of Wikipedia). The lava split into two flows and bypassed the complex, and the people inside were saved. An earlier earthquake had damaged the buildings.

Architecture and meru towers

© CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SAPhoto: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Tourists call Besakih the black temple. All the buildings are made of dark volcanic stone, and the roofs are black as well. The worship spaces have no walls: the roof rests on columns. This openness shows that the boundary between the world of people and spirits here is conditional. The black color is offset by gilding on the altars and gates and bright sarongs on the guardian statues.

The main hallmark of the complex is the meru towers. They resemble multi-tiered pagodas. The taller the tower, the more significant the god it is dedicated to. The decoration uses Bali's traditional colors: black for Vishnu, yellow for Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, red for Brahma and white for Shiva.

The central temple Pura Penataran Agung is divided into several terraces. Pay attention to the order of ascent.

• A long staircase leads to the first terrace, flanked by statues of monsters that ward off evil spirits. In front of the entrance stand split gates: a symbol of the world of gods and people.
• Behind the gates on the platform stands the throne of the supreme god Shiva. Slightly lower are places for Vishnu and Brahma, and nearby are buildings for offerings, prayers and priests' rest.
• The third terrace is given to the gods. Several flights of stairs lead here, and this is where the meru zone begins. One of the towers holds the archive and, according to legend, treasures.

The uppermost structures are closed to tourists: these are the temple of Shiva and the temple of the holy ancestors of the Raja of Klungkung.

What to see

It is hard to see the entire complex in one day. Walking around the grounds in the midday heat is unpleasant. So if time is limited, focus on the essentials.

• Pura Penataran Agung. The central temple, easiest to enter through the main entrance. It is built in terraces, each level higher than the previous one.
• Pura Dangin Kreteg. Stands to the east of the central temple, this is the home of Brahma.
• Pura Batu Madeg. Located to the west of Pura Penataran Agung, Vishnu is worshipped here.
• Pura Pande Wesi. To reach the temple of the Heavenly Blacksmith, you will have to climb the entire central staircase.

But simply walking through the complex is also interesting. In clear weather, the upper platform offers a view of the temples, the slopes of Agung and the surrounding rice terraces.

Tips for tourists before visiting

To enjoy your visit and avoid trouble, follow a few rules.

• You will not be allowed in without a sarong. A wrap is given at the entrance along with your ticket; you can replace it with a long, wide scarf.
• During the day it is hot on the slope. Arrive early in the morning or closer to evening, when the heat subsides.
• You will not find accommodation in the area: there are no hotels nearby, and locals do not let visitors into their homes.
• To avoid pushy self-appointed guides, enter through the main entrance and go straight to the official ticket office.
• Buy your ticket only at the ticket office. Otherwise you will have to fend off people offering the same thing at inflated prices.
• Tourists of other faiths should not enter active temples or climb above the first terrace.
• After major festivals, the grounds are not cleaned right away, and trash can lie around for days.
• Many people arrive at the 07:00 opening. In that case, you need to leave for Besakih early.
• At the entrance there are souvenir stalls and stands with fruit and water. You can have a snack on the lawns.

Walking around the complex, looking at the vegetation and meditating is best on ordinary days. To see colorful ceremonies, come on Hindu festival days. The Galungan festival, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, leaves a strong impression.

Opening hours and ticket prices

The complex is open to tourists from 07:00 to 18:00 (as of 09/2026, current rates and hours). Worshippers can enter the grounds to pray around the clock. Admission for foreign visitors costs 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (as of 09/2026, rates and hours).

Foreigners pay more than locals: a fixed rate applies to all international visitors. The price includes a sarong with sash, a mandatory local guide, and a short electric shuttle ride from the parking lot. Keep your receipt and wristband visible: they prove you have already paid for these services.

The entire complex is closed to visitors for one day during Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence. Be prepared for especially large crowds during the month of the Bhatara Turun Kabeh festival.

Guided tours of the temple and the Mount Agung area cost extra: Bali tours on GetYourGuide.

Where it is and how to get there

© CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SAPhoto: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The temple is located near the village of Besakih in Karangasem Regency, on the slopes of Mount Agung. From Denpasar the drive takes about an hour and a half by map, from Lovina about two and a half hours. The easiest option is to rent a car or scooter and follow your navigation app.

A public bus runs from Denpasar. The bus station is eight kilometers from the city center. Public buses offer limited comfort. Hitchhiking is difficult: cars heading in the right direction are infrequent.

There is paid parking in front of the complex.

Pura Besakih temple on the map

Below is an interactive map: it is handy for planning a route from your hotel. The landmark for your navigation app is the village of Besakih in Karangasem Regency, northeast of Denpasar.

You can also open the point in a browser: Open on map.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to enter Pura Besakih?

For foreign visitors, the ticket costs 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (as of 09/2026, pura-besakih.com). This price already includes a sarong and a local guide. Locals pay less.

What is the best time to visit?

The complex is open from 07:00 to 18:00 (as of 09/2026, opening hours). Arrive between 07:00 and 09:00: that is when Mount Agung is most visible, and tour bus groups only start arriving after 10:00. During the day it gets hot on the slope, and in the afternoon rain often starts and the steps become slippery.

Do I need to hire a guide at the entrance?

No. A local guide is already included in the foreign visitor ticket. You do not need to hire anyone at the gate. People who claim the temple is closed for a ceremony and offer a "secret entrance" for an extra fee are usually scamming you. Go straight to the official ticket office.

What is the dress code at the temple?

You may only enter the grounds wearing a sarong with a sash, and your shoulders must be covered. The sarong and sash are included in the foreign visitor ticket price and are provided at the main entrance.

Can tourists go deeper into the temple?

Tourists have access to the outer and middle courtyards of the complex. The inner shrines are closed and reserved for Hindu worshippers. People of other faiths should not climb above the first tier or enter active temples. Filming worshippers in the inner courtyards is prohibited.

In short: what to book

Pura Besakih requires time and an early start: the best views and quiet are here before nine in the morning. If you have one day for eastern Bali, book an early transfer, spend two to three hours walking through the tiers, and then head down to the rice terraces around Agung. If you are traveling with a group, it is cheaper to hire a car with a driver for the whole day.

Accommodation in this area is rarely chosen: most people stay overnight in the south of the island, in Ubud or Canggu. Booking hotels in Bali on Trip.com in advance is more convenient, as prices rise in high season.