Besakih temple is the largest temple in Bali which is
precisely located in the District of Rendang, Karangasem regency. In the past,
the place before the building Besakih is only found in a woody wilderness.
Prior to the Bali Strait (Segara Rupek) island of Bali and Java time are still
together and have not been separated by the sea, the island is named Long
Island or Pulau Dawa. Somewhere in East Java, Mount Rawang (Mt roar) there is a
Yogi or a hermit named Rishi Markandeya. Because the height of bhatinnya
science, spiritual chastity, as well as the skill and wisdom of his then by the
people, he was given the nickname of Lord Giri Rawang.
At first, Markandeya Rishi meditated in Mount Demulung, then
moved to the mountain Hyang (supposedly it was DIYENG Hyang mountain in Central
Java who came and said DI hyang). So long he was imprisoned there, got a decree
from Hyang Widhi Wasa in order that he and his followers merabas forest on the
island Dawasetelah completed, so that the land was distributed to his
followers.
So then he departed to Bali with his 8,000 followers with
the necessary equipment and tools. Arriving in place of the destination, he
ordered his followers to begin to crush the forest. However When cut down the
forest, many attendants The Yogi Markandeya who are sick and dying, and there
are also dying eaten by wild beasts, because it was not preceded by a ceremony
yadnya (bebanten / offerings).
Then he ordered his followers to stop perambasan. With a
heavy heart he then invited his followers to return to Java. He was back in
place of the original hermitage to seek guidance to Hyang Widhi.Setelah some
time he was dipertapaannya, raised his goal return for further crush the
forest. On a good day, he again went into Bali. This time he took his second
berjumblah 4000 that came from Aga village that is inhabited slopes of Mount
Rawung. Participated in the group of Pandita or the rishi. The followers bring
equipment along with agricultural tools and seeds of plants to be planted in
the new place.
Upon arriving at the destination, Rishi Markandeya promptly
did penance yoga meditation together other yogis and offered upakara yadnya of
Dewa Yadnya and Blind Yadnya. After the ceremony was finished, his followers
were put to work to continue perabasan the forest, cutting down trees and
others start and south to north. Because it is seen there are enough forests
dirabas, then thanks Asung wara nugraha Hyang Widhi Wasa, The Yogi
Markandeyamemerintahkan so perabasan forest, it stopped and he began to make
divisions of land for the followers of each rice fields, tegal and housing.
Thus the followers of the sage Markandya derived from Aga village
(population slopes of Mount Rawung East Java) settled in the place until now.
Place former commencement perambasan woods by the Rsi / Yogi Markandya plant
jug (caratan) containing water, with 5 kinds of metal, namely: gold, silver,
copper, bronze and iron, called Panca Datu and gems Mirahadi (ruby major) with
sitertai means upakara more and sprinkled pangentas Tirta (holy water). Growing
a fifth type of metal it was named Basuki which means congratulations. Why are
so called because on arrival Rsi Markandya the two along with 4000 followers
survived no problems or a disaster like that experienced at the time of his
first arrival. It was later established palinggih place. Gradually in place
were later erected or heavenly temple named Pura Basukian. Pura is a forerunner
of other establishment -pura temple in the temple complex Besakih. Others have
suggested that the construction of the temple on the ground began Isaka 85 or
163 years AD. Construction of the temple complex in Pura Besakih with its
gradual and sustained effort of restoration and repairs were carried out
continuously over time,.