Besakih Temple History reveals the origins of one of the oldest and largest temples in Bali, which stands majestically on the slopes of Mount Agung. This temple is not only a spiritual center for Hindus, but also a witness to the long journey of Rsi Markandeya, who brought Hindu teachings to Bali. From sacred rituals to philosophical meanings, every part of Besakih Temple’s history reflects the close relationship between the Balinese people and nature and the Creator.
The Arrival of Rsi Markandeya to Indonesian Archipelago
Rsi Markandeya was a yogi or priest who practiced Hindu Siwa Tatwa from South India. In the early 8th century AD, he began his spiritual journey to the archipelago. His first destination was the Dieng Mountains in Central Java, which at that time was part of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom ruled by the Sanjaya Dynasty.
At Mount Dieng, Rsi Markandeya underwent tapa brata or asceticism. However, his peace was often disturbed by supernatural beings. Therefore, he decided to continue his journey eastward, until he finally arrived at Mount Raung in East Java.
Revelation on Mount Raung
On Mount Raung, Rsi Markandeya returned to meditate with great sincerity. During his meditation, he received a revelation in the form of a mysterious voice and bright light from the east. From a distance, he saw a range of mountains stretching from west to east.
The long island visible to the east of Java was Bali. At that time, some sailors thought that the island of Bali was part of the Nusa Tenggara archipelago. In the Markandeya Purana sacred book, the island is called Nusa Dawa, which means long island. It was from here that Rsi Markandeya received a supernatural instruction to clear the forest on the island and distribute the land to his followers.
Rsi Markandeya First Journey to Bali
With complete confidence, Rsi Markandeya and around 400 followers (some sources say up to 8,000 people) crossed the Bali Strait, which at that time was known as Segara Rupek. Their destination was the slopes of Mount Toh Langkir, now known as Mount Agung.
Upon arriving in Bali, the group began clearing the wilderness to create farmland. Unfortunately, this first attempt was unsuccessful. Many of Rsi Markandeya’s followers died from mysterious illnesses, attacks by wild animals, and various strange occurrences that were considered signs of supernatural forces controlling the area.
Returning to Meditation and Receiving Guidance
Seeing this failure, Rsi Markandeya returned to Mount Raung to meditate more deeply. He asked the Creator for guidance so that his efforts to clear land in Bali would go well.
During his meditation, he received a revelation that before clearing the forest, a yadnya ceremony or ritual offering must be performed to pray for safety. This guidance became an important turning point in his spiritual journey in Bali.
Second Trip to Bali and the Panca Datu Ceremony
Rsi Markandeya then returned to Bali, this time with around 400 followers, most of whom were from the village of Aga on the slopes of Mount Raung. Before beginning his work, he performed a grand ceremony, offering various gifts.
During the ceremony, he planted Panca Datu, which are five types of metals consisting of gold, silver, copper, bronze, and iron. In addition, Mirah Adi, a gemstone symbolizing ultimate power, was also added. This ritual is believed to ward off evil and provide safety for all his followers.
After the ceremony, the forest clearing process went smoothly without any disturbances. This became the basis for the tradition of Hindus in Bali to this day, which is to always perform a yadnya ceremony before starting something new, such as clearing land, building a house, or establishing a temple.
The Birth of Besakih Temple
After the forest was cleared, the land was distributed to the followers of Rsi Markandeya to be used as rice fields, farmland and settlements. While at the top of Mount Toh Langkir, he realized that the island called Nusa Dawa was not as long as he had imagined. Therefore, the name of the island was changed to Bali, which comes from the word “wali” in the Palawa language of South India. The word “wali” means sacred offering, which is still manifested today in the form of banten, offerings presented by Hindus when praying at temples.
At the location where he performed the ceremony and planted Panca Datu, a small sacred place or pelinggih was built. This is where the origins of Besakih Temple lie. Initially named Besukian, it gradually developed into the largest temple complex in Bali that we know today.
The name Besakih itself comes from the word “Basuki” or “Besuki,” which means “safe.” Thus, Besakih Temple is considered the spiritual center that brings safety to the Hindu community in Bali.
Besakih Temple as the Majestic Temple
Today, Besakih Temple is known as the Majestic Besakih Temple, the largest and oldest temple in Bali, which is the center of religious activities for Hindus. This temple is not only a place of worship, but also a symbol of harmony between humans, nature and the Creator in accordance with the concept of Tri Hita Karana.
The Besakih Temple complex consists of many small temples that are interconnected, with Penataran Agung Temple as its center. Each temple has a specific function, meaning and ceremony. Besakih Temple is also often the center of major Hindu celebrations in Bali, especially during the Bhatara Turun Kabeh ceremony, which is a grand ceremony held once a year.
Spiritual and Cultural Heritage
The history of the establishment of Besakih Temple is strong evidence that the spiritual journey of Rsi Markandeya has had a major influence on the lives of the Balinese people to this day. The tradition of performing ceremonies before clearing land, the use of offerings or banten, and the concept of sacred offerings are all rooted in his teachings.
Therefore, Besakih Temple is not only seen as a sacred building, but also a symbol of Balinese cultural and spiritual heritage that continues to be preserved by the Balinese people. Even today, Hindus from various regions in Indonesia, as well as foreign tourists, come to Besakih Temple to experience the strong spiritual aura of this temple.
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