Mount Agung: the Volcano that overlooks you in Bali
Article by Exotissimo Traveler
Bali conjures up images of beaches, don’t you think? It’s pretty much one of the first things that most people think of when they hear the name of the island. Some might associate the Island of the Gods with the green rice fields that characterize the its interior. Others may think of the volcanoes. Yes, there are quite a bit of them here. One such is Mount Agung.
What’s the highest point in Bali? That’s right. It stands 3142 meters tall, practically towering its surroundings in East Bali and making a presence throughout most of the island. The mountain can be seen for many kilometers away.
And yes, Mount Agung is still active. Despite that fact, the volcano is still an important aspect in the lives of many. One of the island’s most revered temples, Besakih Mother of all Temples sits here on its slopes. Ironically, the temple was spared destruction in 1963 when the flowing lava missed it by mere meters! And speaking of 1963, that eruption proved devastating, sending debris 10 kilometers into the air and sadly killing over 1700 people. The survival of the temple was truly miraculous and is considered a spiritual omen.
Mount Agung is also a diverse biological area. The lower sections of the volcano are home to lush jungles as well as hot and humid temperatures. Animals associated with this habitat are also down there. However, as you go up, you’ll notice the land getting dry as well as more and more barren. This is a result of volcanic rock and accumulation of ash from previous eruptions.
It is also interesting to notice that one side of Mount Agung is actually greener than the other. Why? Sometimes the simplest answer explains it all. Clouds appear on the western half of the mountain more than the east, resulting in more rainfall there. In fact, there are almost no clouds in the east. Go figure.
So, you want a challenge? Mount Agung can provide you with one. Be wary though, conditions can get rough! First off, you’ll have to deal with the constant weather changes. Hot one minute, cold the other. Imagine that. Plus, the barren nature of the upper portions makes it so dry that water is pretty scarce. What many do instead is opt for an evening climb for a sunrise arrival at the peak.
Mount Agung. Imposing yet pretty. The volcano itself has come to define Bali for some. Check her out in our Bali Explorer tour. And don’t forget Besakih. Remember, it almost disintegrated from the eruption. See more of the island and the country in our Indonesia tours.
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About the Author
Established in 1993, Exotissimo Travel is a well known Tour Operator in Asia. We have the expertise and connections to create your perfect inspirational tours as well as customized programs in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia and Japan at the best possible price. Your experience guarantees stops to the main sites as well as the hidden spots, giving you a true sense of the culture and rewarding you with unforgettable memories.
Travel Up Bali’s Mount Agung and Discover Besakih Temple, Bali’s Most Important Hindu Sanctuary
Article by Exotissimo Travel
Besakih Temple (otherwise known as Pura Besakih or the Mother Temple of Besakih) is Bali’s biggest and most important Hindu temple sanctuary. It is in Besakih Village on the southwestern slopes of Mount Agung, an active volcano. Its mountainous location offers visitors beautiful views of the surrounding area and the distant ocean.
Some of the temples are believed to be over a thousand years old. The temple complex consists of 22 temples scattered across parallel ridges in an area about three square kilometers. There are terraces and stairs which ascend to numerous courtyards and gateways that leads up to the main spire. This design serves two purposes. First, it represents one’s climb up Mount Meru, a sacred mountain in Hindu cosmology considered to be the center of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. Secondly, it allows visitors to ascend up and closer to Mount Agung, which itself is considered sacred.
The complex’s symbolic center and most important temple is Pura Penataran Agungand. The main entrance is a grand stairway which ascends through the terraces and lined with statues of gods and demons. Only Hindu worshippers are allowed to use it, visitors instead must go through a parallel set of stairs outside of the temple’s walls.
Inside the main courtyard is a large open space for worshippers. At the back of the courtyard are three tall structures representing Mount Meru that are dedicated to three Hindu gods, Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. There are inner courtyards right behind the main one, which itself houses many more Mount Meru representations.
Besakih is home to numerous festivals, the most colorful of which is Odalan (simply known as temple festival). This festival celebrates every Balinese shrine’s founding and many believe that spirits descend from the heavens for three days during its anniversary. People will ‘entertain’ the spirits with food, prayers, dances and other activities. There could be as many as seventy festivals held at the complex each year since there is a yearly celebration for each shrine. A shrine’s Odalan occurs every 210 days instead of 365, it being based on the Balinese wuku calendar system.
Mount Agung ‘s last eruption occurred in 1963. It was one of the biggest eruptions recorded during the 20th century, which killed more 1,700 people and also threatened the sanctuary. The lava however, missed it by mere inches. The survival of the temple was considered a miracle by the Balinese people and a sign of the god’s awesome power but appreciation towards the monument.
If you would like to explore some of Bali’s most beautiful temples on two wheels, then Exotissimo’s Besakih Temple and Sidemen adventure day trip tour is for you. This guided full day program combines visits to Klungkung and Besakih temples to learn about the religious and spiritual traditions of the Balinese and take a bike ride through spectacular, typical rural villages for a taste of the local lifestyles. You can contact us if you would like to integrate this program into one of our Indonesia tours in Bali.
About the Author
Established in 1993, Exotissimo Travel is a well known Tour Operator with 16 offices throughout Southeast Asia. We have the expertise and connections to create your perfect tours in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia at the best possible price.
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