Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue

GWK was designed in 1990 by Nyoman Nuarta under the then-Tourism Minister Joop Ave, Energy Minister Ida Bagus Sudjana and Governor of Bali Ida Bagus Oka.[1] The groundbreaking event of the statue’s construction took place 1997. In the late 1990s, the project was halted due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis.[2][3]

Construction resumed in 2013 after a sixteen year hiatus, when property developer PT. Alam Sutera Realty Tbk (ASR) agreed to financing the construction of the statue and the project.[3] The idea for the monument was not without controversy; religious authorities on the island complained that its massive size might disrupt the spiritual balance of the island, and that its commercial nature was inappropriate, but some groups agreed with the project as it would attract tourism.[4]

Symbolism

Designed to be Indonesia’s tallest statue, Garuda Wisnu Kencana was inspired by a story from Hindu mythology about the search for Amrita (the elixir of life).[5] According to that, Garuda agreed to be ridden by Vishnu in return for the right to use the elixir to liberate his enslaved mother.

^ Juniarta, I Wayan (2 August 2018). "Garuda Wisnu Kencana: Precious gift for Independence Day". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 28 November 2018. ^ Gamar, Robinson (2018-08-03). Assifa, Farid (ed.). "Perjalanan Panjang Patung GWK, Selesai Dibangun Setelah 4 Kali Ganti Presiden Halaman all". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-03-17. ^ a b Aprilyani, Anggita (10 October 2022). Novianti, Andari (ed.). "Kalahkan Tinggi Liberty, Ini 5 Fakta Patung GWK di Bali yang Harus Kamu Tahu". kumparan (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-03-17. ^ Juniarta, I Wayan (July 24, 2013). "Nuarta 'resurrects' tallest Wisnu statue". Archived from the original on July 24, 2013. ^ "Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) - Location, History, Facts & Attractions". 2022-08-22. Archived from the original on 2022-08-22.