Arjuna Wijaya chariot statue, Bronze equestrian statue in Central Jakarta, Indonesia
The sculpture shows a bronze chariot drawn by eight horses arranged side by side in full gallop. Two figures stand in the chariot: an archer and his charioteer, both depicted in traditional armor.
The monument was erected in 1987 after the president visited Turkey and decided that Jakarta needed more sculptures with narrative themes. Sculptor I Nyoman Nuarta completed the work with a team of artisans in Bandung.
The eight horses embody qualities like justice and wisdom that leaders should possess according to old Javanese teaching. Passers-by often stop to observe the interplay of figures depicting a scene from the Mahabharata.
The sculpture stands at a central intersection and is clearly visible from the street. A fountain surrounds the base and lights up in the evening, making a visit after dark worthwhile.
A walk underneath the monument reveals shadow projections of horses that shift as you move past. This installation was added during the 2014 renovation and plays with light and perspective.
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