Mount Agung

The spiritual culture around Mt. Agung is deeply rooted in Balinese religion. For centuries, Balinese Hindus have worshiped the mountain and its surrounding area as the temples of Besakih and Pura Lempuyang are considered sacred sites within the region. The villages surrounding the mountain are strongly focused on maintaining their traditions and customs, which are reflected in their daily activities such as religious ceremonies, rituals, community meetings, festivals, and daily routines.

Mt. Agung is commonly referred to as ‘Navel Mountain’ or ‘Mother Mountain’ by locals and visitors alike because of its central location in Bali. The mountain is deeply respected by both Balinese Hindus and non-Hindus alike due to its spiritual symbol as the source of life. It also serves as a backdrop for many epic stories such as legendary tales about gods and goddesses that live at the peak of Mt. Agung; stories about brave warriors who fought for freedom; or folklores about stars that granted magical powers to warriors who conquered it.

In terms of spirituality and culture, Mt. Agung holds a major significance for Balinese Hindus that continues to thrive today through ceremonies such as Melasti that allow worshippers to make offerings to appease gods from all directions, or when devotees make a pilgrimage up the mountain during Galungan festival to get closer to Mt. Agung's deities for blessings. 

•Mount Agung sits on the Ring of Fire, an area renowned for its high volcanic activity.

•It has an incredibly diverse flora and fauna, boasting a variety of rare species such as the Javan Hawk-eagle, Bali Starling, Kalij Pheasant, and Dusky Leafmonkey.

•Mount Agung has erupted three times since 1843, with its most recent eruption occurring in 2017. This caused thousands to evacuate their homes and brought international attention to the area.

Mount Agung is open for hiking every day during dry season, which usually runs from April through September. During dry season, you'll have the perfect mix of clear and sunny days with views of Mount Agung and its surrounding volcanic landscape. Plus, during dry season there's less chance of any unexpected eruptions happening due to increased activity in the area.

If you're looking for a cooler temperature, though, you might want to consider visiting Mountain Agung during rainy or monsoon season — which usually falls between October and March. During this time, you may experience some storms but they also bring life-giving rain that provides a much-needed respite from the everyday heat in this tropical country.