Pura Penataran Agung is located on the south-west side of Mount Lempuyang, 600 metres (2,000 ft) above sea level,[1] in Abang district, Karangasem Regency.

[4] The establishment of places of worship around Mount Lempuyang is believed to predate the majority of Hindu temples on the island of Bali.

According to the first one, en 1072 Caka (balinese lunar calendar; 993–994 in gregorian calendar), Cri Maharaj Jayacakti is told by his father to go to Bali and build a temple on the Lempuyang mountain, for it to be Bali's salvation and to bring more people to that area.

According to Balinese beliefs, they are the pivotal points of the island, meant to provide spiritual balance to Bali.

[10][11] The entrance to the outer sanctuary (jaba pisan) is marked with a white-painted split gate (candi bentar).

Sculptures inspired by the epic of Mahabharata, e.g. of Arjuna, Bima, and Yudhistira, dot the surroundings of the stairs.

The courtyard of Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang features several meru towers and pelinggih shrines, each dedicated to different gods and local deities.