In an easterly direction off Ubud, within the quaint village of Penjeng, you will discover an aged and iconic protection temple by the name of Pura Panataran Sasih, which was once the state temple of the Pejeng Kingdom, which held sway from 1293-1343. Soak up the spirituality of this intriguing Indonesian isle from a superb beach resort in Bali such as the Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali. Its gracious hospitality and luxury accommodation makes it a fine hotel in Nusa Dua to host your time here. The Pura Panataran Sasih contains a fascinating array of Buddhist and Hindu relics that imbue it with an aged holiness. Enshrined within, its most famous culture artifact comes in the form of the Moon of Penjeng, a gargantuan bronze kettle drum that is housed in a charming little pavilion on the temple grounds. It is the largest surviving artifact that dates back to the Southeast Asian bronze era, and according to local belief, the drum was used in rituals for successful rice cultivation. Spanning more than two millennia in age, it saw its construction by the Dong Son culture. The main courtyard of the temple are graced with a variety of ancient shrines and other structure that frame the Seat, which is a tall throne room that houses a shrine to Lord Ganesha, patron of wisdom, abundance, and new beginnings in Hindu lore. A walk around the charming surrounds of the temple will impart a profound sense of serenity and wisdom, and it is the perfect site to engage in a bout of walking meditation as you breathe in the spirituality of the sages.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.
