1. In the eastern seaboard of Bali in Indonesia is the Gunung Agung or Mount Agung, the island’s highest mountain, and perhaps one of the most imposing peaks standing at an altitude of 3031 metres above sea level. Mt.Agung can verily affect its surrounding climatic conditions.
2. Its western slopes seize the rain clouds, cause rain, thereby making the west side lush, green and fertile, whilst its eastern slopes, for the most part, lies barren and dry.
3. A volcanic site, Mt.Agung is widely believed by the Balinese that it is the place where the gods dwell, thus the blessed island is so revered.
4. The Pura Besaikh, the mother of all temples in the island, is also situated here. In those days the temple can only be reached through climbing hundreds of steps before reaching the main gate.
5. However, today other staircases make climbing the steps look inviting, especially for women devotees carrying a tower of offerings on their head to be offered to the temples.
6. The recommended time to visit Besakih is during the Galungan celebrations, marked by great pomp and fanfare, when the temple is adorned with coconut leaves and flowers and tall bamboo poles, while hundreds of Balinese women, dressed gracefully in traditional white costume, congregate in a neat row, carry piles of offerings, including colourful flowers and fresh fruits, to the ceremonies on their head, while men take palm fronds to the temple a real spectacle in the making!
7. Although Mt. Agung is peaceful and tranquil, the volcano, which remained dormant for almost a century, erupted violently in 1963, throwing ash and volcanic matter, rising over 8 to 10 km high into the atmosphere, whilst pyroclastic clouds advanced with a rolling movement down all sides of the volcanic mountain.
8. It proved to be a fatal day when over thousand people died due to volcanic eruption, and the entire surrounding area down to Kintamani was covered in greyish black-coloured ash for months. Though it was nothing short of a disaster, the volcanic material created the most fertile farmlands in the island.
9. The landscape, today, has turned greenish and productive again, and Mt. Agung is posing challenge to mountain climbers.
10. There are two trails followed by trekkers, the toughest and steepest trails of which is that of the right by Pura Besakih. The second one that starts from Pura Pasir Agung runs along its southern peak. When you reach atop it, you can enjoy a splendid view of Bali with the island of Lombok to its east with Mt.Rinjani, the island’s own active volcano.
