Klungkung Regency “Puputan Klungkung Monument"

Identification and point of attraction.

This monument stand 28 meters in height in the centre of Semarapura, the capital town in form of “Linga - Yoni” (Male and female symbol) built on an area of 123 squaremeters in extent and named as “Puputan Klungkung Monument” (Puputan literally) means : “flight till the last drop of blood” / total war).

It is made of black stone entirely and it is relevan to Hindu philoshofy: “Puputan” or fight till last drop blood” committed by the best warriors of klungkung with their loyal people.

Location.

The monument can easily be reached from major places of interest like Besakih, Candi Dasa or Denpasar (Bali Capital) , the capital city since it is located right by the main road (the center part of Semarapura) with the old traditional court “Kerta Gosa” / Taman Gili nearby, traditional market, shopping center and government offices.

Since it was formally opened by the minister of Home Affairs on 28 April 1992, the monument has been visited by a lot of visitors either domestic or foreign visitors.

Description.

“Great nation are those who show honor to their heroes merit” is the proverb refered by the government of Klungkung Regencyin building the monument as to show respect to their heroes who had lost their lives during the struggling time against the Ducth colonialist taking place on 28 April 1908 right on the site where the monument erected, a heroic moment known as “Puputan Klungkung”, a war till the last drop of blood of Klungkung people and their King at that time against the Ducth troops.

The monument as mentioned above, is in the form of “Linga - Yoni” (male and female sex symbol) erected on an area of 123 square maters in extent, completed with “Bale Bengong” (resting place) on every corner. On the base part of the monument is a wide square hall with four entrances facing four directions. The height from the base up to the top is 28 meters, while between the base hall and the “lingga” (male sex symbol/phallus) is an octogonalspace layered by nineteen lotus petals. This is to symbolize and illustrate the date of 28 April 1908 to be commemorated every year. Inside the hall is the diorama showing the detile of the great war.