GWK Cultural Park

Bali Personal Drivers - Mandala Garuda Wisnu Kencana, or Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK), is a 240 hectares cultural park on the Bukit Peninsula at the southern tip of the island Bali, Indonesia. Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park is only 10 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai airport and 25 minutes from Kuta. If you start from The Benoa Harbour or Nusa Dua you can reach it in about 20 minutes. GWK Cultural Park will further support and enrich the already existing tourism infrastructure in Bali.

What is interesting here ...?

Specifically dedicated to the Hindu God Wisnu, and his mount Garuda. Here you can see a mega project structure. Today, the statue of Wisnu is as high as 20 meters from the original plan of 150 meters. Designed and built by Nyoman Nuarta, one of Indonesia’s foremost modern sculptor, Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue will be gold plated and stands on a 11-storey entertainment complex. The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue or GWK and its pedestal building will be standing 150 meters tall with its wings span 64 meters across and will be surrounded by more than 240 hectares cultural park which was once an abandoned and unproductive limestone quarry. Made from more than 4000 tons of copper and brass, the statue is picturing Lord Wisnu, as the source of wisdom, riding on the back of the mythical bird Garuda as the manifestation of conscience toward Amerta, the perennial goodness.

At present time, the statue of Wisnu, the statue of Garuda, and the hands of Wisnu have been placed temporarily in three different plazas within the park.

• The Statue of Wisnu
  As the anchor point of GWK, the 20 meter tall copper statue of the Lord Wisnu has been placed temporarily on the highest hill of Ungasan where visitors can enjoy sunset or sunrise over the magnificent view of Kuta, The Benoa Harbour, Nusa Dua and Sanur.
  The statue of Wisnu is an illustration of the Almighty God in maintaining and caring all life and its being. The god Wisnu is the owner of Amerta in the form of water as the source of fertility , giving wealth and life to the universe.

• The Statue of Garuda
  Right behind the Plaza Wisnu is the Plaza Garuda where the 18 meters tall statue of Garuda placed temporarily.
  At the present time, Plaza Garuda becomes the focal point of a massive alley of carved limestone pillars which covers more than 4000 sqm open space area namely Lotus Pond. The colossal limestone pillars and monumental Garuda statue make Lotus Pond a very exotic space. With its room capacity that can accommodate up to 7000 people, Lotus Pond has gained good reputation as the perfect place to hold big and international events.

• The Statue of Wisnu’s Hands
  The statue of Wisnu’s hands was added to GWK Cultural Park in 2007. It’s one step closer to finishing the complete Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue. This piece was placed temporarily on Tirta Agung area.

So if you come to the GWK Cultural Park in the near future, you can only watch the parts just like the statue of Wisnu, hand Wisnu and Garuda's head. When it's finished, it will be the largest sculpture in the world.

In the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park, you not only can see the statue of Wisnu and other statues. GWK Cultural Park also featured interesting tourist attractions. GWK everyday perform many traditional music and dance of Indonesia, especially Bali. Your trip to GWK is one-stop arts cultural journey. Your entrance tickets is included free Kecak Dance performances. You can get the GWK merchandise to remember your visit to GWK Cultural Park like GWK miniature sculptures, unique T-shirts, key chains, mugs, etc are available for purchase at affordable prices on GWK Souvenir Shop.

GWK Cultural Park is intended to educate, especially the young generations about the importance of preserving and cultivating world’s cultural heritage.

Reference : wikimedia.org, gwk-culturalpark.com
Photo : wikimedia.org