| Puputan Square
Denpasar's fame came from "Puputan" fight to
the death against the Dutch in 1906, when thousands of Balinese warriors, dressed in their
finest Balinese regalia, and armed only with their tradition weapons like the Keris (short
dragger) and spears, hurled themselves against the lines of Dutch carbines.
The injured then being finished off and frenzied women, also looking for death. Much of
the nobility was wiped out. The incident is now remembered by the Puputan square the
former Kingdom of Badung, where the slaughter took place.
It is dreary open space on the site there is a monument in memory of Puputan
overlooking at Surapati Street. The monument shows a parent and two children-carrying
knife (Keris) and bamboo post ready to fight, keep prestige and knight blood.
At one corner of the square stands at 5 meters high statue made of stone that is
dedicated to the "Great Teacher" -Shiva.
It makes this an interesting feature is the fact that face to the east is that of Indra
(Iswara), while that to the south is Brahma, to the north is Vishnu, and to the west is
Mahadewa.
Also within to the square is very modern looking Pura Jagatnatha, the
temple of the Lord of the world within is to be found a gilded statue of the Supreme God,
Sanghyang Widhi Wasa. Nearby stands the magnificent Bali Museum that was established in
1932 on display are archeological finds, dance masks, handicrafts, paintings, as well as
the architectural illustrations of the various Balinese Temples. And on the north side
stands the luxury building of Jaya Sabha, which means the Governor of Bali Province
Residence. And in front of that building is often used as bullring and the commencement
processions of Bali Art Festival continuously it arranged every June-July in a year. |
