In addition to the Sang Kala Trisemaya statue on Gajah Mada Street, in the Badung Market area, there is also a statue of Ida Ratu Mas Melanting. This statue was installed together with the Sang Kala Trisemaya statue on November 30, 2021. The statue, which is 4.5 meters high and 1.5 meters wide, is the work of Putu Marmar Herayukti, who is known as an ogoh-ogoh artist and a tattoo artist from Banjar Gemeh, Dauh Puri Kangin Village, Denpasar.
The creator intended the Ida Ratu Mas Melanting statue to be an icon of prosperity for the people in Denpasar City. There is a special message that the creator wants to convey through this statue, namely the important principles in trade and life, which are fairness, honesty, and quality.
In traditional literary texts, the figure of Ida Ratu Mas Melanting is said to be the daughter of Dang Hyang Nirarta, a holy sage from East Java who helped build Hindu civilization in Bali. Ratu Ayu Mas Melanting's real name is Ida Ayu Swabhawa. This figure is portrayed as having a wise and intelligent character, and she is an expert in trade. The beauty and character of Ida Ayu Swabhawa made her popular among her customers and she became a role model for people who work as traders. For this reason, the people of Bali continue to honor Ratu Ayu Mas Melanting to this day. She is considered a symbol of the intellectual capacity of Balinese women in the field of entrepreneurship.
Source Image Cover: Denpasar Tourism