The stone bases of Pura Penataran Agung and several other temples resemble megalithic stepped pyramids, which date back at least 2,000 years.

It has stepped terraces and flights of stairs that ascend to several courtyards and brick gateways that lead up to the main spire or Meru structure, which is called Pura Penataran Agung.

All this is aligned along a single axis and designed to lead the spiritual person upward and closer to the mountain which is considered sacred.

The symbolic center of the main sanctuary is the lotus throne, or padmasana, which is therefore the ritual focus of the entire complex.

[5] A series of eruptions of Mount Agung in 1963, which killed approximately 1,700 people[6][7] also threatened Pura Besakih.

Complaints have emerged and this act of extortion has tarnished Bali's tourism image, but local authorities have not taken any action to stop it.

On 13 March 2023, President of Indonesia Joko Widodo inaugurated the arrangement of facilities for the sacred area of Pura Agung Besakih in Karangasem Regency, Bali Province.

The President believes that the arrival of more and more people and visitors without being balanced with arrangements and anticipation for the future will cause chaos and discomfort.