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Government unveils ‘biggest’ Hindu temple in Southeast Asia

The government unveiled West Jakarta's Murugan Temple on Sunday at an event led by the religious affairs minister, touting it as the biggest Hindu temple in the region and that it was open to all denominations of the religion.

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
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Mon, February 3, 2025

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Government unveils ‘biggest’ Hindu temple in Southeast Asia Worshippers walk down the front steps on Feb. 2, 2025, at Murugan Temple in Kalideres, West Jakarta. Built atop a 4,000-square-meter plot, the temple is open to Hindus of all sects. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)

R

eligious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar inaugurated on Sunday what is claimed to be the biggest house of worship in Southeast Asia for Hindus: Shri Sanathana Dharma Aalayam Temple, also known as Murugan Temple, in Kalideres, West Jakarta.

In his opening remarks, Nasaruddin said the temple served as not only a place of worship but also a symbol of religious harmony in Indonesia.

“[We are] launching Sri Sanatana Dharma Temple not only as a physical place of worship but also as [evidence] of the human right to exercise religious freedom, which is mandated by the Constitution,” Nasaruddin said, according to the ministry’s press release.

"In the spirit of togetherness and mutual cooperation, let us continue to maintain the bonds of community and tolerance between religious communities in order to create a just and prosperous society," he said.

The minister also said he had suggested to President Prabowo Subianto that the new temple be used as a Hindu study center.

“Sri Sanata Dharma Temple should be a spiritual center for religious education and strengthening the noble values of Hinduism for Hindus in Indonesia. This is very important," he said.

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