Blanjong Pillar (Prasasti Blanjong) and Pura Blanjong

The Blanjong Pillar (Prasasti Blanjong) stands inside Pura Blanjong on Jl. Blanjong in the Sanur Kauh area of Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. The stone pillar, about 177 centimetres tall, is dated to 914 CE (835 in the Saka calendar) and is inscribed in two scripts: Old Balinese written in a Sanskrit-derived script on one part, and a more formal script in the Sanskrit language on another. The text names King Sri Kesari Warmadewa, founder of the Warmadewa dynasty, and refers to a military campaign against enemies on other islands, which is why it is regarded as one of the earliest datable written records of Balinese history. Its discovery was reported in the early 20th century and it was studied by Dutch scholars, who recognised it as a rare surviving historical document from the island's pre-Majapahit era. The pillar is kept in a small roofed shelter within the temple precinct and can be viewed through the enclosure, although it is often kept locked, so visitors normally ask a local caretaker to open it. The surrounding temple is a modest community shrine whose stonework and shrines are typical of south Bali. There is no formal museum display, and interpretation is limited, so the value of the site lies in seeing the original inscription in its place. Careful preservation is needed because the stone is weathered, and visitors are asked not to touch the carved letters. The location, a short distance from Sanur beach, makes it an easy add-on to a visit to the Le Mayeur Museum and other Sanur sites. A donation to the caretaker is customary, and modest dress is expected inside the temple. Facts about the exact carving and translation continue to be discussed by scholars, but the 914 CE date is widely cited in sources on Balinese history.