I Made Geria, working for the Archaeological Department Denpasar (BAD) writes an article on South Balinese sculpture in Nusa Penida, a Study on Statues from the Classic Period entitled 'Unsur Budaya Bali Selatan di Nusa Penida, Kajian Senia Arca Masa Klasik', published in BAD's magazine Forum Arkeologi, March 1997.

In 1996, I Made Geria from the Archaeological Department in Denpasar (BAD) conducted field studies to a number of temples in Nusa Penida. The team found more than 35 statues and architecturally interesting structures, amongst which the 'padma' at Pura Puncak Mundhi, the temple at the highest elevation in Nusa Penida (535m), facing Mount Semeru in East Java. 'Padma' in Balinese means lotus, and 'padmasana' is defined as the throne of a god in the inmost court of a temple. After extensive research, BAD concluded that the statues found in temples around Nusa Penida had been brought in from mainland Bali, and that architectural structures such as the 'padma' at Mundhi, but also the 'Manusia Kangkang' shrine at Pura Meranting (Batukandik) were influenced by Hindu religion from outside Bali.

I Made Suastika tries to answer the question whether the 'Sanggar Tawang' is a 'padmasana' (the throne of a god in the inner court of a temple) or indeed a structure in the advanced stages of the megalithic tradition. English (summarised) translation by Godi Dijkman; additional comments by the author in square brackets. Original Indonesian text follows below.

In 2005, Ni Komang Astiti & Dariusman Abdillah published an article on the temples of Nusa Penida in connection to their natural surroundings. For the entire Indonesian article, please click here. Below you'll find the English translation on Maos Temple by Godi Dijkman, including additional comments in square brackets.