The monument is located at Niti Mandala (civic centre of Bali Province). It takes about 7 minutes from Sanur, 10 minutes from downtown Denpasar and 30 minutes from the airportShape and Structure of the monument
The width of its building is 4,900 square meters, while the whole square is 138,830 square meters. If we witness from a distance, the shape of the Monument looks like a Bajra (a Hindu priest’s bell) which is standing up at the Puputan Margarana square. Its entire wall is made of reinforced concrete and plated with volcanic stone that at a glance the monument looks like a Thai Temple.
Horizontally, the basic structure of the monument is a symmetrical square applying the Tri Mandala concept (a holy profane concept that divides the space of a compound into three parts) consisting of:
1. Utama mandala or Jeroan (the primary or holiest part) is the main building located at the centre of the monument. It is surrounded by a ring of fish pond and foot path, being bordered with a wall fence of the same material, with four main gates called Kori Agung at the four directions and four resting pavilions called Bale Bengong in each corner.
2. Madia Mandala or Jaba Tengah (The middle part), is the first or inner yard surrounding the main building. It is also bordered with a wall fence with four split gates called candi bentar in each direction.
3. Nista Mandala or Jaba Sisi (the profane part), is the outer yard surrounding the monument. It is a park of local trees of medicinal, ritual and endangered species, with foot path and benches in which people can do sport and recreational activities
There are also gutters in the park and moats surrounding the square to drain water in rainy season. Vertically, the monument is divided into three parts which is philosophically based on Tri Angga Concept such as:
1. Utamaning Utama Mandala, this sacred part is situated on the third floor. It is usually used as a place for visitors to see the view around the monument.
2. Madianing Utama Mandala; is the second floor functioning as a place where the 33 units of Dioramas take place.
3. Nistaning Utama Mandala; is in the first floor of the monument in which the conference room, exhibitions hall, library, gift shop, toilets and the office of the monument are located. At the centre of this floor there is a pond called puser tasik and the main eight pillars of the building.
The monument was designed by Mr. Ida Bagus Gede Yadnya, a young man who was that time still a student of the Architectural Department, faculty of Technology, in Udayana University, Denpasar. His designed was elected as the winner of the design competition for the monument in 1981.
After a few adjustment and improvements given to the design and sketch, and funded through the provincial budget that in August 1988 the first brick laying ceremony was carried out as a sign that the construction commenced. Since this multiyear project faced some obstacles such as the depreciation of Rupiah (the Indonesian currency) in 1977, the world monetary crisis and other thing, that made the completion of the building much delayed. Finally after so many years the construction of the monument could be finished in 2001. Afterwards, the 33 dioramas were then made in 2002 which depict the historical courses of Balinese people’s life from one age to the other until the period of struggles. At the surrounding, a park of local trees and shrubs has also been made to give a fresh atmosphere to the monument, and the whole work finished completely in 2003.
On 14 June, 2003 coinciding with the opening ceremony of 25th Bali Arts Festival, President Megawati Soekarno Putri declared that the monument of Balinese people’s struggles was officially opened for public.
