The abode of God .. Pura Besakih

In the abode of God

In the shadow of the most sacred peak

In fear of an active volcano, Gunung Agung

We found the mother of all temples, Pura Besakih

.

.

.

Cutting through scenic rice terraces, racing against the setting sun

Skirting past a crater lake, with over an hour’s drive still to be done

With Mt. Batur insight and Mt. Agung on our minds, we sort of knew

that these curvy, narrow roads would make it hard to enjoy the view

The tall trees fought off the light, making the day darker than it was

We tried to yak off the eerie silence of the woods without any pause

We were as further as closer, as doubtful as hopeful of getting there

But with no soul in sight, the thrill was lesser than our petrol, I swear


Jalan Batur Tengah was our lifeline and we toed it towards civilization

and after what seemed like ages, few villages emerge in succession

Following the temple road, we finally reached the holy neighborhood

Wary of phony guides and pestering hawkers who were up to no good

As the last ones to enter the almost empty premises, we had no airs

Wrapping a local sarong and a scarf we caught the first flight of stairs

We paused at a split gateway, opening to the ancient temple terrace

for a click at the Heaven’s Gate, making a traditional pose with grace

Crossing several courtyards and gateways we reached the main spire

aligned to guide a spiritual person closer to their revered cradle of fire

I witness Mt. Agung arise behind making everything seem insignificant

With its ability to erase every sign of our existence at this very moment  

Confusing a cloud near the crater for an eruption set my heart racing

And I began to look for the nearest escape route, involuntarily pacing

With a pool of molten rock bubbling beneath there was no time to lay

But my alarm was burst by a bout of laughter as the cloud blew away

Our tryst with heaven was cut short as the skies darkened rather fast

Glad to get a glimpse of the God’s home we left with memories to last