The Moon of Pejeng

The area north of Bedulu, around Pejeng and Intaran, contains many antiquities. The most important is the Pura Penataran Sasih, which forms part of a group of three tenwles. Sasih means “moon” and refers to the “Moon of Pejeng” a giant bronze kettledrum kept high up in a shrine in the temple.

It is decorated with geometric patterns, ogres’ heads and stars. According to some stories, it is the ear jewel of Kebo Iwa, others say that it is the chariot wheel of the Moon God which fell in a tree in Pejeng and has been kept in the temple ever since. At first it was bright and shiny, however, a thief tried to steal it and was disturbed by the radiance of the “wheel,” so he urinated on the object.

As a result, it lost its lustre and turned green. The thief was punished for this deed and died immediately.

Bronze kettledrums have been found all over eastern Indonesia, and in Bali other, smaller drums have been found as well. Even a mould has been excavated, which proves that such drums were manufactured on Bali. Kettledrums date from the bronze age, but it Is difficult to determine how old the Pejeng Moon is.

They were symbols of prosperity and fertility, and in eastern Indonesia form part of the dowry. Apart from the drum, the temple possesses a number of 11th century Stone statues, among them a Siwa and lingga.