DILI, 13 october 2021 (TATOLI)-The Representative of the Hindu Community in Timor-Leste, Iputu Ari Sanjaya asked the government of Timor-Leste to create six Hindu temples in Timor-Leste as cultural site heritage to visits.
Iputu Ari Sanjaya said after participating in the launching of the Faith-based Tourism Association at Dili Cathedral.
“We hope that the role of this Association and the government can help preserve temples in other municipalities, for example by making letters from the government through the Ministry of Tourism or through civil society to the authorities and the public to contribute and preserve the cultural site heritage so that it will become a tourist destination,” Iputu to Tatoli, at the São José Cathedral Hall Vila-Verde Dili.
Iputu said, Many Balinese Hindu temples scattered in other municipalities such as Ermera, Maliana (Bobonaro), Suai (Covalima), Same (Manufahi), Ainaro, and Viqueque but since the number of Hindu religious is small in this country thus all religious activities of are only centered in the Girinatha temple. Taibessi Dili.
According to Iputu, these temples will contribute to the economic growth of the country, if the preservation is well implemented.: “The site heritage will improve the economy of the country, if there is more visitor to visit this country,”
At the same time, Iputu thanked the government of Timor-Leste for the rehabilitation of the worship place for Hindu, ” Giri Natha Temples, located in Taibesse Dili.
“After the rehabilitation is completed, “Pura Giri Natha” will become one of the third largest temples in the world, the first largest temple is in Belgium and second in Berlin,” she said.
The “Pura Giri Natha” temple was built during the Indonesian occupation and was intended for Hindu immigrants at that time, mainly came from Bali. Was officially launched on June 27 1987 by the Sitting Governor Mário Viegas Carrascalão.
After the end of the Indonesian occupation majority of Hindus left the country. According to the 2015 census data, 272 Timorese adhered to the Hindu religion.
In 2019 the TL government has allocated $1.2 million for the rehabilitation of “Pura Giri Nata” with an additional budget $700,000.00 from IKAYANA TL or (Udayana University Timor-Leste Alumni Association).
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
