Serangan is a small island that lies off the Balinese coastline just south of Sanur and has long played an important role in local religious history. Despite its size, there are actually four temple compounds found on the island and Pura Sakenan is considered one of the holiest sites of worship for Balinese Hindu’s.

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The historical period of Bali is divided into three sub-periods which includes :

a. The Ancient Period ( 800 - 1343 AD)

The collections from this period that are displayed: stupika, the miniature of a stupa (Buddhist temple) made of clay and there is a stamp or tablet inside. The tablet is written with Pranegari script in Sanskrit language containing Buddhist mantras. A great number of stupikas were found in Pejeng village and Tatiapi, Blahbatuh village (Gianyar) which can be traced back to 800 AD, and it was the first writing ever found indicating the beginning of Bali history. Also displayed findings of this age of stone and bronze statues (arca) such as : Arca Dewi Tara, Arca Manjucri and others as the media for worshipping the divined king’s spirit. Trading system had also been going on in that period, proved by the remains found such as : gold and silver currencies and perforated Chinese coins. Photographs of architectural remains from the period are also displayed such as : Gunung Kawi temple, Gua Gajah/Elephant cave and Yeh Pulu temple.

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