Blanjong Pillar and Pura Blanjong

Pura Blanjong is a small temple on Jl. Blanjong in Sanur Kauh, south Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, in Bali, Indonesia, best known for the Blanjong Pillar (Prasasti Blanjong), among the oldest dated written records found on the island. The stone pillar carries inscriptions in Old Balinese and Sanskrit, and it is traditionally dated to the early tenth century, with references to a ruler of the Warmadewa dynasty. For historians, it provides evidence of an organised Balinese kingdom and of early contact with Indian script and Hindu-Buddhist culture. The pillar stands in a small sheltered enclosure within the temple grounds, and it may be viewed on request from the temple caretaker, who can open the shelter and give some background. The temple is modest in scale, with a courtyard, a few shrines and carved gateways, and the visit is more about the historical significance than about spectacle. Visitors typically spend 20 to 30 minutes. Entry is free, though a donation is customary, and a sarong is required. Daylight hours are the best time to visit, and morning is generally quiet, with few other visitors. The pillar is not easy to photograph in detail because of the shelter and the worn stone, but the inscription surface and the setting make for an interesting close-up when permitted. Visitors should ask before taking photographs, avoid touching the stone, and behave respectfully, since the site remains an active place of worship. Because it is easy to miss, searching for Prasasti Blanjong in a map application helps with navigation, and a ride from Sanur centre takes about ten minutes.