Pejeng, Bali

Pejeng is a village in Central Bali, between Bedulu and Tampaksiring, to the east of Ubud. It was the center of the ancient Kingdom of Pejeng-Bedulu. The village is the site of the Museum Purbakala, an archaeological museum that exhibits some of the ancient relics and prehistoric artifacts. Among the interest items on display includes turtle-shaped sarcophagi from prehistoric times.

Within walking distance of Museum Purbakala are three interesting temples. Pura Arjuna Metapa is a small temple in the midst of rice fields. Its name means the Arjuna meditating temple. It shelters a group of stone sculptures, probably what remains of a spring temple.

About 100 meters to the north of Pura Arjuna Metapa is Pura Kebo Edan. Its name means the "crazy giant temple". There are demonic statuary suggesting that it is a Bhairava Buddhism cult temple. The main statue is that of a mask giant dancing on a corpse. The giant looms 3.6 meters tall.

Located about two kilometers north of Pejeng is Pura Penataran Sasih. It houses the Pejeng Moon, a 186-cm (74-inch) sacred drum. The bronze drum is installed in a tall pavilion. Standing at the base of the adjacent shrine, visitor can view the geometric pattern on the drum which bears resemblence or association with the Dong Son drums of northern Vietnam from 1,500 B.C.

Dong Son Bronze Drum of northern Vietnam, in Museu Guimet, Paris

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