Bajra Sandhi Monument

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 4^th 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 1^st 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 17^th 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 2^nd 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 8^th century, was found the stupika and sukawana inscription in Pejeng Gianyar and Sukawana Bangli. Still in 8^th 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 7^th – 9^th 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 3^rd 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.