I Gusti Ngurah Rai Memorial

I Gusti Ngurah Rai Memorial

At the age of 29, the heroic Balinese I Gusti Nghurah Rai (for whom the airport is named), died in a puputan which achieved independence for Indonesia. The memorial park to Ngurah Rai and his men contains a monument, two pavilions, shady gardens and memorials to each of the 1,372 who died in the puputan. There is also a small museum which was closed on the day we visited. We met a very old woman who explained in Balinese to our driver that she had been present in Marga, as a small child, during the battle. In her memory the battle began at about 8 in the morning and was over by 1 in the afternoon. She still remembers the Balinese shouts of victory. This is a special place for Bali and all of Indonesia, that all should visit. Short version of the history, from wikipedia: "On 20 November 1946, the Dutch launched a large attack on Marga with the assistance of troops from Lombok and supported by aircraft. Lt. Col Ngurah Rai ordered a Puputan, or fight to the death. He died along with all of his troops. The battle is now known as the Battle of Margarana."