The Arjuna Wijaya Statue is a horse-drawn chariot sculpture with a copper fountain, set on a traffic island at the junction of Jalan MH Thamrin and Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta. It stands in front of the Indosat headquarters, near the National Monument (MONAS) and the MH Thamrin statue. The sculpture shows a scene from the Mahabharata, with Arjuna and Krishna in battle. It is worth a look in the evening or at night, when traffic is lighter and the figures are easier to see and photograph. The surroundings are clean and green, and the spot makes a simple stop between Jakarta's historic monuments.
Why the statue was made
The statue was built around 1987. The idea came from President Soeharto's state visit to Turkey that year, where he saw many monuments on the streets that explained Turkey's past.
The designer is Nyoman Nuarta, an Indonesian sculptor from Tabanan, Bali. The work combines a horse-drawn chariot with a fountain, and the fountain is made of copper.
The Mahabharata scene
The sculpture shows Arjuna holding a bow, with Batara Kresna beside him as the charioteer. Their chariot has a garuda head and is pulled by eight horses. The eight horses stand for the eight principles of leadership known as Asta Brata.
The two figures come from the Pandava side and are shown in battle against Adipati Karna, who fights for the Kurawa camp. Knowing these names helps you read the scene: Arjuna is the figure with the bow, and Kresna guides the horses.
Visiting the junction
The statue stands at the junction of Jalan MH Thamrin and Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, in front of the Indosat headquarters. It sits close to the National Monument (MONAS) and the MH Thamrin statue, which honours one of Indonesia's national heroes. The three can be seen on one visit.
The surroundings are clean and green, and the area is open at all hours. Because the statue is on a traffic island, the daytime traffic is loud and busy around it. Evening or night is the calmer time to look at the work and take pictures.
FAQ
Where is the Arjuna Wijaya Statue?
It stands at the junction of Jalan MH Thamrin and Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta, in front of the Indosat headquarters.
Is the statue open at night?
Yes. It is open 24 hours a day, every day. Night is the calmer time to visit, with less traffic around the island.
Who made the Arjuna Wijaya Statue?
The designer is Nyoman Nuarta, an Indonesian sculptor from Tabanan, Bali. The statue was built around 1987.
What story does the statue show?
It shows a scene from the Mahabharata, with Arjuna holding a bow and Batara Kresna as charioteer, in battle against Adipati Karna.
Is it a good place for photos?
Photos are easier at night, when traffic is lighter. During the day, traffic activity around the island makes photography harder.
