Bajra Sandhi Monument is an unique monument in Bali. It's located at Puputan Renon Street, Denpasar city, in
front of Governor Bali office, exactly in the middle of Renon field. This
monument was built in 1987 with an idea from Governor Bali, Ida Bagus Mantra
and designed by a student of Udayana University, Ida Bagus Gede Yadnya. It’s
opened by Indonesian 4th President, Misses Megawati Soekarno Putri
on June 14 2003.
There is a Candi Bentar in front of Bajra Sandhi Monument, where
it’s a symbol of two different aspect, for ex. Good and bad, yin and yang, and
many things, and it’s called by Rwa Bhineda. If we look from its shape, this
monument looks like bajra or bell that used by all Hindus Priest when reading
mantra in the Vedas. So that’s why called by Bajra Sandhi monument. This is the one of Balinese people struggle monument. In here, we will find many dioramas that tells about the life of Balinese people, from pre - history, history, until Balinese people independent.
In
middle yard of Bajra Sandhi, where this monument is divided into 3 yards, such
as outer yard, middle yard, and inner yard. There is Candi
Kurung, it’s a symbol of mountain the heaven of God. And there are 2 guardian
stone, known as turtle Akupa. On the top of this monument there is a jar and in
the middle yard, there is a pond encircle this monument known Ksirarnawa,
according to the legend it’s tells about the Gods and the Giants work together to
obtain Jar of Amertha, the holy water of immortality inside by twisting
the mount Mandara Giri in the Ksirarnawa milk ocean. There is
a head of turtle Akupa and Basuki Dragon at the Kori Agung (main gate). The
whole building of the monument is the symbol of the mount Mandara Giri.
At the 1st floor inside of this
monument, there is Bedawang Akupa stone. In here, we can find
many fungsional room, such as meeting room, library, toilet, and manything. In
the middle, there’s a pond named Pusering Tasik and 8 pillars which a symbol
month of Indonesia independence on August 17th 1945, and also the
date and year of independence day, we can know from 17 stairs up and 45 the
high of this monument.
At the 2nd floor, we will find
33 dioramas that tells about history of Bali island. Start from begin, it’s
telling about prehistory period when Bali in hunting and food gathering. In 8th
century, was found the stupika and sukawana inscription in Pejeng Gianyar and
Sukawana Bangli. Still in 8th century, we can see Rsi Markandeya is
giving the Panca Datu, 5 kinds of metals such as Gold, silver, brass, copper
and iron used in lying ceremony or Mecaru. During the queen Mahendradata and her
husband Warmadewa’s reign, there were
many progresses in architecture, structural concept by Mpu Kuturan, and
irrigation system called Subak. Subak isn’t only a system
irrigation, but its also an important things in Balinese life.
Also there is a diorama that tells about Dang Hyang Nirartha, or Tuan Semeru
who came to Bali when King Dalem Waturenggong reign. He was so important at
that time in Balinese civilization, introduced Tri Purusa concept for the socio
religious in Bali and also the Padmasana shrine to dedicated The God of Sun or
Ida Sang Hyang Siwa Raditya.
The
glorious time for the Kingdom of Bali was in 7th – 9th
century, and in 1846 the first western Dutch came and attack Bali. Its because of a minister I Gst Ketut Jelantik was tore a letter
from the Dutch Governor General who wanted to remove the Tawan Karang rule. So
that’s why the Dutch attack Buleleng for the first time, and known as Jagaraga
war in 1849. Not only that, the impression war in Balinese people memories,
especially Denpasar is Puputan Badung war in 1906, and now Badung known as
Denpasar.
And, at the 3rd
floor, for the woman or girl who has menstruation isn’t allowed to join
there. From here, we can see the beautiful view of Denpasar city, and over
there, there’s Bali governor office and the right side there’s parliament
house. When afternoon, especially on Sunday, the Renon field is so crowded with
many Denpasar people who doing many activities such as jogging, playing
football, or just for recreation.
The purpose of this monument is for a symbol of struggle
soul nursery preservation of Balinese people from generation to generation, and
also to remind the next generation to preserve the culture of Bali.
