Jakarta Murugan Temple Stands as a Symbol of Religious Harmony in Indonesia

JAKARTA, investortrust.id - The Jakarta Murugan Temple, also known as Shri Sanathana Dharma Aalayam, is a symbol of interreligious harmony, not only for Hindus but also for followers of other religions, according to the Sanathana Dharma Society Movement of the Archipelago, or Gema Sadhana.

"This is a bridge connecting our interreligious harmony, especially in Indonesia," said Ida Bagus Putu Madeg, a member of the Bali Regional Leadership Council (DPD) of Gema Sadhana, to Investortrust.id at the Murugan Temple in Jakarta, on Sunday, Feb 2, 2025. Gema Sadhana is an Indonesian Hindu organization.

Although the temple's design is based on Indian concepts and differs from Hindu temples in Bali, Putu said, the largest Hindu temple in Southeast Asia is full of the nuances and spirit of the Indonesian archipelago.

"Therefore, we are proud of this temple in the name of the archipelago," he said. "Even though the pattern is different from Bali, the Hinduism is still a unity that cannot be separated from the center."

A Beacon of Peace and Unity

Putu hopes that the Jakarta Murugan Temple will continue to be a forum for peace and unity, as echoed by the government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. "We will forever remain solid, supporting this existence, helping the government in the future, together with President Prabowo Subianto," he said.

The inauguration of the Jakarta Murugan Temple began with the Maha Kumbhabhishekam ceremony, led by Maha Pandita, Sivasri K Pichai Gurukkal, recipient of the Vikashratna award, along with around 90 gurukkal or priests from India.

Investortrust.id observed that Hindus had filled the temple area since 7 AM local time to take part in a series of inauguration and worship events. President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to arrive at the location at 2 PM to inaugurate the Hindu temple.