Pura (temple) Penataran Agung is the central and largest of the Besakih temples. It is a terraced sanctuary containing 57 shrines and pavilions. There are consists of seven terraces have structures built upon them, the seven terraces in accordance with the Hindu doctrine of the seven level of the world (Sapta Petala).

Terrace I
This is reached by a long flight of steps flanked by rows of statues, those to the left being heroes of the Mahabharata epic, those to the right of the Ramayana. They were carved around 1935 by a group or artisans from Sukawati-Gianyar under the leadership of I Kolok.
(1) Candi Bentar : split gate, flanked by a pair of doorkeepers.
(2) Bale Pegat : a pavilion containing a pair of platforms separated by passageway, which symbolizes the cutting of the connection with the everyday material world.
(3) – (4) Bale Kulkul : pavilions for the wooden slit-gongs sounded at festival times.
(5) Bale Palegongan and
(6) Bale Pagambuhan : pavilions for dances (Legong, Gambuh etc) performed at festival times.

Terrace II
(7) – (8) Bale Ongkara (or Bale Mundar-Mandir) : pavilions consisting of just one central post. Ongkara is the sacred syllable ONG or OM. They remind the worshipper to purify his mind before proceeding through the main gateway.
(9) Kori Agung : covered gateway with finely carved wooden doors, separating the first courtyard from the main courtyard where major ceremonies are centered.
(10) Bale Gong : pavilion for the gamelan orchestra. Formerly here sat the king of Klungkung and other dignitaries when they visited the temple; important guests are stilled seated here.
(11) Bale Kembangsirang : a large pavilion of 16 posts with platforms in each corner. The important mapeselang ritual is held here.
(12) Padma Capah : an open throne dedicated to Ida Ratu Sula Majemuh, lord over the weather.
(13) Bale Paruman Alit : note the stone lingga inside this pavilion.
(14) Meru, 9 roofs pagoda : dedicated to Sanghyang Kubakal, in one interpretation the lord over the materials used inceremonies.
(15) Meru, 11 roofs pagoda : dedicated to Ratu Manik Maketel, a symbol of the mobilization of energy.
(16) Bale Pesamuan Agung : this long high pavilion is the meeting place of the Gods at festival times, represented by their statues or other object (Pratima).
(17) Bale Pepelik : dedicated to Ida Ratu Sanghyang Siyem.
(18) Bale Tegeh : dedicated to Bhatara Mpu Bradah, a famous priest of the early 11th century.
(19) PadmaTiga : the Triple Lotus Shrine, the most important shrine in the whole Besakih complex, where one pays homage to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa (The God) in His manifestation as Tripurusa (Siwa, Sadasiwa, Paramasiwa). It consists of three padmasana on common base that carriers the picture-date Saka 1889 (1967 AD) the date of its restoration following the 1963 eruption. The padmasana was introduced into the Balinese temple by the priest Nirartha in the 16th century.
(20) Bale Pepelik : pavilion for offerings
(21) Bale Agung : a very long pavilion of 24 posts associated with Sanghyang Iswara and the heavenly hosts. It is also used for meetings and making offerings.
(22) Bale Kawas : intimately related to the bale agung and to the official Besakih pemangku (temple priests). It is dedicated to Ida Bhatara Ider Buwana.
(23) Panggungan : pavilion for offerings.
(24) Bale Pawedan : the pavilion where high priests (padanda) of triple Siwa, Buddha, and Bhujangga sects sit to perform their ritual of preparing holy water. On account of its size it is often called Bale Gajah (elephant pavilion).

Terrace III
(25) Meru,5 roofs pagoda : honoring I Gusti Dauh
(26) Meru, 7 roofs pagoda : honoring Ida Bhatara Tulus Dewa
(27) Meru, 5 roofs pagoda : honoring Ida Bhatara Panataran
(28) Meru, 3 roofs pagoda : honoring Ida Bhatara Suka Luwih
(29) – (30) Gedong : honoring I Gusti Teges and I Gusti Hyang Angantiga, numbers (25) – (30) are padharman shrines honoring the deified spirits of actual persons. The upkeep of these shrines is in the hands of the Sidemen princely house which has an intimate relation with Besakih.
(31) – (32) Panggungan : structures to hold offerings in connection with ceremonies at the preceding group of padharman shrines.
(33) Bale Pepelik : pavilion for offerings.
(34) Meru, 11 roofs pagoda : dedicated to Ida Ratu Maspahit. This meru is unusual in having doors on all four sides.
(35) Kehen, 3 roofs pavilion : this is the temple’s storehouse where such sacred objects as the two wooden inscription are kept. Only pemangku may enter, A Kehen differ from a Meru in being built on a rectangular rather than a square plan. Such structures are mostly confined to a few temples in Bangli and western Karangasem regencies.
(36) Meru, 7 roofs pagoda : dedicated to Bhatara Geng or Sanghyang Aji Saraswati, Hindu goddess of science and learning.
(37) Bale Pepelik and
(38) Gedong : these two shrines are the ancestral shrines of the Pasek Brejo clan at Besakih.
(39) Bale Pepelik : two ancient statues are kept here; the upper half of human figure associated with the priest Nirartha; and a man riding a horse where, in former days, a warrior sent on duty by his lord would come to worship.
(40) Bale Pepelik and
(41) Gedong : the ancestral shrines of the Pasek Kayu Selem clan at Besakih.

Terrace IV
(42) Gedong : dedicated to Ida Ratu Ayu Subandar, lord over mechants, especially those in sea-born trade.
(43) Gedong : dedicated to Ida Ratu Ulang Alu, lord over itinerant peddlars.
(44) Bale : a simple structure sheltering two pairs of ancient statues of male and female deities, each with four arms. These are said to represent Sanghyang Surya-Candra, literally Sun-Moon. The statues date from about the 12th century.
(45) Meru, 11 roofs pagoda : dedicated to Ida Ratu Sunaring Jagat (Lord Radiance of the World), an aspect of Sanghyang Widhi in his power of lighting the world.
(46) – (48) Bale Tegeh : dedicated to the heavenly courtiers and nymphs (widadara-widadari).
(49) Bale Pepelik : pavilion for offerings.
(50) Bale Pepelik : dedicated to Ida Ratu Ngelesung, associated with the rice-pounding block.
(51) Bebaturan, dedicated to Ida Ratu Sedahan Panginte.

Terrace V
(52) Meru, 3 roofs pagoda : dedicated to Ida Ratu Ayu Mas Magelung, goddess of performing arts. Dance and music groups sometimes worship here.
(53) Meru, 11 roofs pagoda : dedicated to Sanghyang Wisesa, manifestation of Sanghyang Widhi as lord of spiritual powers. Many people who visit Besakih pay homage here after worshiping at the Padma Tiga.
(54) – (55) Bale Pepelik : pavilion for offerings.

Terrace VI
(56) – (57) Gedong : there is a beautiful simplicity about this upper terrace that seems to reflect back to ancient mountain worship. The shrine to the left is dedicated to Ida Ratu Bukit Kiwa (Lord of Left Mountain) or Ida Ratu Pucak (Lord of the Summit); that to the right to Ida Ratu Bukit Tengen (Lord of Right Mountain) or Ida Ratu Pemeneh. In philosophical terms this pair of shrines symbolizes the doctrine of dualism (rwa-bhineda) that characterizes all creation.

Terrace VII
The very narrow empty terrace at the top of the Penataran Agung Temple, it symbolizes above spaces or the uncreated state.

The terraces and the gods honored therein, according to one interpretation, may be likened to a story or history of the creation of the world. Terrace VII symbolizes the uncreated state. Terrace VI symbolizes the two principles that underlay all creation. Terrace V symbolizes the energy or force that arises from the conjunction of these two principles. Terrace IV symbolizes the forces that shine upon and give life to the world, with the support of the gods and heavenly hosts. Terrace III symbolizes the support that religious teachings receive from holy men and priests others who have rendered service. Terrace II symbolizes the worship that man offers unto God and where he receives God’s grace and blessing, and so it is here that ceremonies are centered. Terrace I symbolizes the need for man to purify himself when he comes into the presence of the gods.

Source: Pura Besakih and Once a Century