Among other things which are named after or have anything to do with Balinese national hero I Gusti Ngurah Rai (i.e. Ngurah Rai International Airport, Ngurah Rai by pass, or Margarana Heroes Burial Park), Tanah Aron is the least known and given adequate attention.

Tanah Aron is located at the foot of mount Agung, near the village of Budakeling, in Karangasem regency. It was the place where I Gusti Ngurah Rai and his Ciung Wanara troops fought against Dutch’s troops and hide from Dutch’s aerial bombardment. Ngurah Rai and his troops managed to escape the Dutch’s attack and continue their guerrilla warfare until met their final fate in a battle in Margarana.

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Part 1

I Gusti Ngurah Rai bestowed the National Hero award due to his sacrifice towards his nation, Indonesia, in the battle of Margarana against the Dutch. He was killed in the battle on 20th November in 1946 with his Ciung Wanara troop which included 95 soldiers. His name is immortalized as the name of the International Airport in Bali, name of street, campus, and sport centre to commemorate him.

Red: Gusti Ngurah Rai, Blue: Dr. Anak Agung Made Djelantik, 1931, from flickr.com/photos/wibisono/

I Gusti Ngurah Rai was born on Wednesday, wuku (seven-day week in the Balinese 210-day calendar — one traditional year consists of 30 wukus) Kelawu, 30th January 1917, in Carangsari Village, ± 24 km to the north from Denpasar. His father’s name is I Gusti Ngurah Patjung, was a Manca (head of the sub-district) and his mother is I Gusti Ayu Kompyang. His childhood name was I Gusti Ngurah Gejor (shake) because a great earthquake was going on when he was born and then changed into Ngurah Rai in his school period.

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