Besakih Pilgrimage: From Parking Lot Panic to Perfect Timing (and a Drenching Downpour!)

Believe it or not, scoring parking at Besakih Temple these days is easier than finding a shady spot at a water park! But was the rest of my pilgrimage as smooth sailing? Read on to find out about the surprising ease of navigating the revamped Besakih, dodging downpours, and witnessing a mesmerizing ceremony!

Fueled by anticipation, we hit the road at 7 am, bracing ourselves for a pilgrimage battle royale. Traffic jams and a fight for parking spaces were on the menu, or so social media buzz had led us to believe.

But to our delight, the drive to Besakih was a breeze. It only took about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Denpasar. Arriving at the parking lot, my jaw dropped – it had transformed into a marvel of modern convenience! Gone were the days of dusty chaos. This was a concrete coliseum stacked high like a Balinese parking skyscraper. My worries about finding a spot vanished as we snagged a space on the first floor with ease.

Reaching the temple involved a choice: a free shuttle bus for the weary souls (like my wise mother and aunt!), ojek for the impatient (me and my wife!), or a scenic walk for the truly zen. Blinded by our eagerness to reach the holy grounds, we opted for the ojek, leaving the senior crew to cruise in comfort.

The courtyard of Besakih bustled with worshippers, but the crowd was manageable. However, a wave of humanity surged towards Pasek temple, momentarily swallowing us whole as we navigated towards Batumadeg temple. Here, along with my wife and my mother, we offered our prayers.

Next stop: Arya Wang Bang Pinatih temple. Fate intervened here – our arrival perfectly coincided with the start of the mesmerizing "Nganyarin" procession. We were captivated, spending a significant amount of time witnessing this spectacle.

Finally, we reached Penataran Agung Besakih, completing our prayers by 11:30 am. The weather gods seemed to be smiling upon us – the sun played hide-and-seek behind a veil of clouds, keeping us comfortably cool throughout our devotions.

After Penataran Agung, we found refuge and lunch at the "wantilan," a traditional open pavilion. The wantilan buzzed with fellow pilgrims, families reconnecting after their spiritual journeys.

Our menu? The offerings we brought as a token of our prayers. Just as we settled into our lunch, the universe decided to put on a show – the heavens opened up, unleashing a tropical downpour that rivaled a carwash on steroids.

Thankfully, the rain subsided as quickly as it began, allowing us to make a smooth exit back to the parking lot.

We arrived home feeling incredibly fortunate. As I scrolled through social media later that day, however, my jaw dropped again. Apparently, Besakih had been inundated with visitors! Many posts showed long queues that snaked for hours before pilgrims could even enter the temple. It seemed we'd picked the perfect time to visit – a window of serenity amidst the crowds.

It seemed the universe truly blessed our trip yesterday. A smooth journey, manageable crowds, a captivating ceremony, and even the rain held off until our prayers were complete. Have you ever experienced a pilgrimage that unfolded so perfectly? Share your stories in the comments below!

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All pictures above were taken with Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro