The Mount Agung (Gunung Agung) stands as Bali’s highest mountain above all other landscapes of the island. The almost perfect-looking volcanic cone is clearly visible even from a distance and thus omnipresent in many areas. But the Agung does not only shape the appearance of Bali. It also has a special spiritual and economic significance.
Where is Agung Volcano located?
Gunung Agung is located in the eastern part of Bali. From Ubud, the distance is about 30 km as the crow flies in a northeasterly direction. From Padang Bai and from Candi Dasa it is about 20 km as the crow flies to the crater of Agung, which is pretty much north of the two places. From Amed, the central point of the volcano is about 15 kilometers to the west.
Depending on exactly where you want to go on Agung, you should allow a little more than an hour from Ubud (to the village of Sebudi) or about 1.5 hours (to the temple of Pura Besakih). From Padang Bai or Candi Dasa you can reach the two places in about an hour.
Volcano tours in Bali
The two volcanoes Gunung Batur and Gunung Agung can be explored on exciting volcano tours. Most tours start at night, so that you arrive in time for the spectacular sunrise at the respective summit.
More about the volcano tours
The landscape at the Mount Agung
The highest elevation of Gunung Agung and thus of the island of Bali is 3,031 meters above sea level. This point is located at the up to 520 meters wide crater, into which you can look directly. In addition, in clear weather you have a great view up to ddie neighboring islands of Java and Lombok. On the latter, for example, you can see Rinjani, the highest mountain or volcano of Lombok.
At the foot, the Agung is still covered with dense forest in many regions. The northwest side of the volcano is counterclockwise to the east with lush green vegetation. Only the north and northeast parts of the volcano are much drier due to weaker precipitation.
The higher you look at Agung, the more barren the landscape becomes. Also on the forested sides of the volcano the tree landscape recedes with increasing height. Here one finds mostly only little vegetation up to the crater. The landscape then consists mostly of lava rocks and boulders.
The Mount Agung in the belief of the Balinese
In the belief of the Hindu Balinese the Gunung Agung takes a special position, around which many myths and legends entwine. The mountain is considered the abode of the gods and is therefore sacred to the Hindus. Among the Balinese, Mount Agung is considered to be an image of the sacred Hindu mountain Meru.
It is not for nothing that the significant temple Pura Besakih is located directly on Mount Agung. Pura Besakih is also called the “Mother Temple” and is the most important sanctuary in Bali. It is also the largest and the oldest temple on the island.
The terms “kaja” and “kelod” come from Balinese cosmology. On the one hand, they are directional terms, with “kaja” meaning uphill and “kelod” meaning seaward. On the other hand, the two terms also stand for the divine (kaja) and the demonic (kelod), thus having a positive and negative meaning, respectively.
On Bali, these directions have an enormous influence on the everyday life of the people. For example, villages are oriented according to the principle of kaja and kelod. The main direction of a Balinese village is always from kelod to kaja, i.e. from the sea side towards the mountain. To some extent, Balinese people also align their head in the direction of kaja when sleeping. Kaja or uphill often (but not always) means “in the direction of the Agung”.
Economic meaning
In addition to its spiritual significance, Gunung Agung is also enormously important for the Balinese from an economic point of view. A large part of the population on Bali works in agriculture. There are numerous springs at the volcano, whose water is used to irrigate the fields. In addition, the volcanic soil is also extremely fertile and therefore serves as a natural fertilizer.
The Agung is also an important factor for tourism. Around the mountain there are several hiking routes for which you can book a guide. In addition, souvenirs are sold at the popular destinations on the volcano and culinary delicacies are offered in cafes or warungs.
Conclusion: An exceptionally significant mountain
The Mount Agung is much more than just a mountain in the landscape of Bali. It provides people with drinking water due to numerous springs and feeds the irrigation systems for the fields. On the other hand, Agung plays an extremely central role in the spiritual beliefs of the Balinese.
For tourists, the mountain is a wonderful destination. Whether you want to hike up to the crater rim or just enjoy the idyll at the foot of the volcano, Agung offers opportunities for both adventure and relaxing excursions.
