Other Side Of Monas. Central Jakarta

Monas! Jakarta’s own Washington Monument which itself is surrounded by one of the largest public parks in Jakarta. Situated in the central government district of Jakarta, Monas or Monumen Nasional (National Monument) sits directly beside the Presidential Palace of Indonesia. Many Government buildings such as the Constitutional Court, National Secretary Office also surround the area. Though being somewhat Obelisk-shaped, the Monas itself draws inspiration from Hindu and traditional Javanese beliefs. Constructed during the reign of Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, it takes its belief and inspiration from the idea of Lingam of Lingga from Hinduism. The Lingam itself is a symbol of the Hindu deity Shiva, and it is usually placed atop a platform known as a Yoni. In the case of Monas, we too can see the obelist itself placed upon a platform-like structure which these two objects combined are meant to symbolize masculine and feminine features which are responsible…