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Muarojambi Temple to be center of Sumatra’s Vesak Day celebrations
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The temple complex in Jambi is set to turn heads during Vesak Day celebrations on May 30. (Shutterstock/SSPhotoman)
The Muarojambi Temple complex in Muarojambi regency, Jambi, is slated to be the center of Vesak Day celebrations on Tuesday.
“This year, the observation of Vesak Day for Sumatra is to be centered at Muarojambi Temple, with the main event to be held on Tuesday,” Husni Thamrin, the head of promotion, culture and tourism board of Jambi, told Antara on Monday.
Thamrin went on to say that monks from all parts of Sumatra would attend the event, along with monks from Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and a few other countries.
He further explained that processions started on May 26, in which a number of monks walked to the origin of the eternal flame. They were to carry on the ritual of obtaining the eternal flame, from a source located at Pertamina EP I asset field Jambi, Sungaigelam, Muarojambi. This ritual is a part of the commemoration.
The fire will then be carried during the major event at Muarojambi Temple. It will be used to light a five-color candle, in the hope of “melting the nation’s challenges”.
Read also: India promotes Buddhist tourism to attract Japanese travelers
Meanwhile, the head of the tourism board’s partnership division, M. Amril, said prior to obtaining the eternal flame, the monks also obtained holy water from Tujuh Mountain in Kerinci regency. Monks from Jambi, Lampung, and Thailand together with local youth were seen obtaining the water.
The commemoration of Vesak Day at Muarojambi Temple is expected to boost the local economy and promote tourist attractions.
Amril said Vesak Day celebrations were hosted by the Buddhist alliance of Jambi and supported by the Jambi provincial government and the culture and tourism board, with the theme “harmony of diversity to strengthen the nation’s unity” (mut)
