DILI, 26 january 2023 (TATOLI)-The Construction work of the Hindu Temple, Girinata is now 90% complete.
The Overall status of the construction phase was revealed by the Executive Director of the Social Civil Auditorial Support Service (SASCAS), Edvin Soares Noronha during the interview with Tatoli.
“The report on the construction work was made by the IKAAYANA TL (Timor-Leste Udayana University Alumni Association) responsible for this construction, IKAAYANA revealed that the construction is 90% completed, we will submit this report to ADN to see the physical construction of the temple to be re-certified, “Executive Director of SASCA, Edvin Soares Noronha told Tatoli in an exclusive interview in government palace, wednesday.
Noronha explained in 2021 Government’s SASCAS provided a total of $ 1,207,958.18 for the construction and rehabilitation of Girinata temple, while in 2021 the construction progress had reached 87.7% according to the National Development Authority (ADN) monitoring.
Executive Director of the Timor-Leste Religious Tourism Association (ATR-TL), Manuel Vong, said his team continues to monitor the construction process saying the Girinatha Temple is the only place of worship for the largest Hindu adherents in Timor-Leste.
“Apart from being a historical site that must be protected, Pura Girinatha is also the largest Hindu religious tourism center in Timor-Leste,” said Manuel Vong in his interview with Tatoli.
Previously, the Hindu Religious Coordinator at the Timor-Leste Religious Tourism Association, Iputu Ari Sanjaya representing the Hindu community said Girinata temple would be a place of prayer activities for Hindus from every country including Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste.
“The Hindu community in Timor-Leste has collaborated with the Government of Bali in Indonesia to help promote the Girinatha Temple in Taibesse as a religious site visit that will attract more tourists to visit Timor-Leste,” he said.
Iputu Ari Sanjaya also said that, in addition to Taibesse Girinata Temple, there are other temples across the territory in Baucau, Ermera, Bobonaro, Covalima, Same, Liquiça, and Viqueque which are a heritage from Indonesia.
Girinatha Temple is the largest Balinese Hindu temple in TL, located in the Taibesi, Dili Municipality.
The temple was built during the Indonesian occupation and was dedicated to Hindu immigrants at the time, which mainly came from Bali. Its inauguration took place on 27 June 1987 by the then Governor Mário Viegas Carrascalão.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia Borges
