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Patung Bayi, Bali's crying baby statue in Sakah

• 25 Agustus 2023
• Insight
• Gianyar

GIANYAR, NETIZENBALI.com - The Sakah Baby Statue, or Sang Hyang Brahma Lelare, is a unique and sacred monument in Gianyar, Bali.

It is a giant statue of a baby sitting cross-legged, facing southwards at the intersection of three main roads in Sakah. The statue was built in 1989 as part of a program by the former Bupati (regent) of Gianyar, Tjokorda Raka Dherana, to create artistic and cultural landmarks in the region.

The statue represents Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism, in the form of a baby, symbolizing human birth or new beginnings. The location of the statue is considered sacred and mystical, as it is the convergence of two axes: the axis of Shiva and the axis of Sang Hyang Widhi, or Buddha.

The name Sakah comes from the words ‘saka ah’, which mean lingam (a symbol of Shiva) without boundaries. The name Blahtanah, which is the name of the banjar (village unit) where the statue is located, means land that is split.

The meaning of ‘Sang Hyang Brahma Lelare’ is not explicitly stated in the web search results, but based on the information available, infer that it is a combination of several Sanskrit words. ‘Sang Hyang’ means ‘the supreme’ or ‘the divine’, and is a common prefix for Hindu gods and goddesses.

‘Brahma’ is the name of the creator god in Hinduism, who is also one of the Trimurti (the three aspects of the supreme godhead) along with Vishnu and Shiva. ‘Lelare’ is a word that means ‘to play’ or ‘to create’, and is also related to the concept of lila, which is the divine play or cosmic drama of the gods.

Therefore, ‘Sang Hyang Brahma Lelare’ could be translated as ‘the supreme Brahma who plays or creates’, or ‘the playful or creative aspect of Brahma’.

This name reflects the symbolism of the statue, which represents Shiva in the form of a baby, who is the source of all creation and manifestation.

The statue has been surrounded by many myths and legends, such as crying during the purnama (full moon), tilting its head towards passersby, and causing accidents at the intersection. Some people also believe that the statue can grant wishes, especially for those who want to have children.

Many people visit the statue to pray and offer banten (offerings) and canang (flower baskets).
The Sakah Baby Statue is a fascinating example of Bali’s rich culture and spirituality. It is a symbol of hope, life, and harmony.

According to the web search results, the Sakah Baby Statue has a height of more than 2 meters. It is a towering cross-legged baby statue that can be seen from afar. It is one of the most unique and sacred monuments in Bali. If you ever visit Gianyar, you might want to see this amazing statue for yourself. (NB)