The Island of the Gods, Bali, is blessed with a unique landscape where every corner seems to tell a story through its statues. Statues in Bali are not merely decorative; they are deeply ingrained in the local culture, representing deities, mythical figures, and historical events. If you want to experience Bali statues in person, visit GWK Cultural Park. This park is the ultimate destination to witness the pinnacle of Balinese monumental sculpture. This guide will explore the significance of statues in Balinese culture and highlight the 10 remarkable statues found at GWK Cultural Park.
The Balinese Relationship with Statues
- Spiritual Connection
Statues serve as a medium for Balinese Hindus to connect with their gods and goddesses. They are often consecrated and become a focal point for prayers and offerings.
- Narratives and Morals
Hindus use statues to depict stories from ancient Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, serving as visual lessons on dharma (righteous conduct) and karma.
- Symbolism
Most Balinese statues has symbolic meaning behind them. For example, the Dewi Sri (goddess of rice and prosperity) statues symbolizes prosperity and the Garuda statues symbolize of loyalty and devotion.
A Tour of the 10 Statues at GWK Cultural Park
GWK Cultural Park is home to a unique and diverse collection of 10 significant statues, each with its own story:
- Bhagawan Kasyapa
First on the list, we have Bhagawan Kasyapa at Plaza Bhagawan near the ticketing area. This statue stands in between two famous goddesses in Hindu mythology. Dewi Winata is on the left side, while Dewi Kadru is on the right side of the statue. This statue depicts Kasyapa who was a great rishi (sage) and father of both gods and demons in Hindu mythology.
- Dewi Winata
On the left side of the Bhagawan Kasyapa statue is the Dewi Winata Statue. She was the wife of Kasyapa and the mother of the divine bird Garuda and Aruna. In Garuda’s story, she suffered under the shackles of slavery. However, she was later saved by her son Garuda using the holy water Tirta Amertha.
- Dewi Kadru
On the right side of the Bhagawan Kasyapa statue is the Dewi Kadru statue. Just like her sister Dewi Winata, she married Kasyapa and later became the mother of the serpents (nagas).
- Miniature GWK Statue (7 m)
Next on the list is the miniature GWK statue located at the main pedestrian entrance. From this spot, you can see both the miniature and the massive GWK statue. This smaller replica of the GWK statue gives a compelling preview of the park’s main attraction.
- Ananta Sesha (Shesa Naga) Statue
The stair heading to Plaza Kura-Kura is where you can find the Ananta Sesha Naga statue. It depicts the king of all nagas which is a thousand-headed serpent crowned with jewels from Hindu mythology. Hindus believe that Ananta Sesha Naga is one of the first eternal beings. Other than that, the eternal being also serves as the resting place of Lord Vishnu.
- Dewi Lakshmi Statue
You can find the Dewi Lakshmi statue in the Tirta Amerta area. Dewi Lakshmi herself was the consort of Lord Vishnu. She was also the goddess of wealth and good fortune. Because of this, the statues depicting her serves as a symbol of prosperity.
- Lord Vishnu Statue (23 m)
Moving on to Plaza Wisnu, a statue depicting the Hindu god Vishnu stands majestically in this area. This statue made of copper plates was an early depiction of the deity. Therefore, it is a separate sculpture from the main GWK statue.
- Garuda Statue (18 m)
Other than Lord Vishnu statue, there is also a statue depicting the legendary mythical bird Garuda at Plaza Garuda. This statue is a powerful standalone piece that symbolizes loyalty, devotion, and selfless sacrifice.
- Peace Statue
Within the Lotus Pond, you can find the Peace Statue that commemorates the victims of the Bali Bombing I (2002). It depicts a human releasing a dove as a symbol of freedom. This statue serves as a somber but hopeful message of peace.
- The Great GWK Statue (121 m)
Last but not least, we have the main landmark of the park, the GWK statue. This statue stands at an impressive height of 121 m tall, making it one of the tallest statues in the world. It depicts Lord Wisnu riding his loyal companion Garuda.
Why You Must Visit Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
- Awe-Inspiring Statues
GWK Cultural Park is a complete tourist attraction where you can find 10+ awe-inspiring statues. Each statue is magnificent with stories to tell, especially the main GWK statue.
- Top of Statue Tour
What makes the GWK statue captivating is that there is a tour to have a unique experience inside the GWK statue. This tour is none other than the Top of the Statue Tour. It is an exclusive guided tour that allows visitors to ascend to the 9th and 23rd floor for a unique perspective and panoramic views.
- Cultural Performances
GWK offers 15 Balinese cultural performances every hour and every day. There are two places within GWK where you can watch these intriguing cultural performances, Amphitheater and Lotus Pond. At the Amphitheater, you can watch 13 Balinese cultural performances from 11 AM to 4 PM everyday. These performances include Tari Sekar Jepun, Tari Sekar Nirwana, Tari Barong-Bojog, and many others. As for Lotus Pond, you can watch the Joged Bumbung and Kecak Dance.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of ascending the GWK statue, choose the Ultimate Package (Regular Entrance Ticket + Top of the Statue Tour). This ticket includes:
- Regular Entrance Ticket to GWK Cultural Park
- Guided tour to 9th & 23rd floor of Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue
- Refreshment drink at Jendela Bali Restaurant
- Balinese Cultural Performances at Amphitheater stage (from 11AM to 3PM)
- Watch animation movie “Petualangan Garuda Cilik” at Garuda Sineloka Mini Cinema (30 minutes duration, start from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM)
- The ticket is valid for the whole day! Free entry and exit to the GWK area (by requesting a stamp at the exit gate)
- Event Venue
GWK Cultural Park is a monumental and versatile venue that has consistently delivered on the demands of world-class events, weddings, and concerts. The areas that are used for these events include the Lotus Pond, Festival Park, and Plaza Wisnu.
GWK is more than a tourist attraction; it is a cultural and spiritual journey. If you are planning a Bali vacation, make sure to add GWK Cultural Park into your itinerary. With GWK, you’ll be able to experience the profound beauty and stories told by the statues in Bali. So, what are you waiting for? Secure your GWK tickets and witness the stories statues in Bali coming to life!