19/06/2019 - Besakih / Bali / Indonesia

Hinduism has approximately 940 million followers worldwide, making it one of the five major religions. 90% of the population in Bali adhere to the Hindu faith. There are said to be around 20,000 temples in Bali, including field, house, and family temples, as each family has their own household temple. Balinese people believe in the existence of gods and demons. These deities are appeased daily with offerings. Small palm leaf baskets filled with flowers, sweets, and rice are laid out at temples, statues of gods and demons, hotels, taxis, and various other locations. An incense stick is lit in the center. Offerings on the ground are dedicated to demons, while those on temple altars are dedicated to gods. Temples hold great significance in Hinduism as they serve as the meeting place between humans and gods. The entrance to each temple features a split gate, symbolizing the balance between good and evil. Demon statues stand guard in front of the entrance to ward off evil spirits. Today, we visited the Mother Temple, the most significant Hindu sanctuary in Bali. Pura Besakih was likely founded in the 8th century and is located at the foot of the active volcano Mount Agung. The entire complex consists of over 200 structures, including multi-tiered temple towers, shrines, open pavilions, and enclosed buildings. Once a year, a grand festival takes place here during the full moon, attracting many Balinese devotees. Additionally, every hundred years, a large sacrificial ceremony is held to cleanse the universe. Hinduism is a highly complex religion. There is so much more to learn about temple festivals, the meaning of colorful fabrics, offerings, karma, reincarnation, and the incredible sights within the temple complex. We arrived early in the morning at Pura Besakih. There were only a handful of tourists, allowing us to peacefully explore the beautiful complex.