Big Vishnu, Hindu monument in Ungasan, Indonesia
Big Vishnu is a 121-meter tall sculpture of the god riding Garuda, a giant bird figure, located in Ungasan on Bali. The monument stands within a cultural park that also hosts performances and art exhibitions.
Work on the monument began in 1989 after an idea by Balinese sculptor Nyoman Nuarta. The 1998 crisis interrupted construction for many years until the figure was finally completed in 2018.
The monument represents the Hindu tale of Garuda's agreement to carry Lord Vishnu in exchange for permission to obtain Amrita, the elixir of life.
The park is about 15 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport and is easy to reach from all major roads in Bali. It is best to visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.
The construction consists of 754 individual modules made of copper, steel, and reinforced concrete, assembled like puzzle pieces. The finished work weighs around 4000 tonnes and is among the heaviest sculptures in the world.
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