NETHERLANDS, OborDewata.com – The Balinese Hindu community in the Netherlands now has a place of worship or temple, a place for prayers and for Hindus who have migrated to the land of windmills to come together.
The Shanta Citta Bhuwana Temple stands in the Indonesia Park, Kallenkote, Overijssel, Netherlands. The temple was completed on November 28, 2024, followed by an inauguration ceremony led by the Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which also included a small “Pemelaspasan” ceremony on November 30, 2024.
The process of establishing the temple’s Pelinggih (sanctuary) at Shanta Citta Bhuwana was not easy for the Hindu community in the Netherlands. There were many challenges and obstacles to overcome. Thanks to the initiative of Ibu Made Aniadi, the Indonesia Park Kallenkote, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Indonesian Embassy in the Netherlands, Bali Tourism Polytechnic, and ISI Bali, the idea of building a temple by the Balinese community in the Netherlands was realized, even though it was done gradually. The project began with a donation of Padmasana and Pangrurah from the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, which were sent directly to Indonesia Park in Kallenkote, Netherlands, and received by the Chairperson of the Bali Abdi Samasta Foundation. The Pelinggih was made using black sandstone, directly sourced from Karangasem, Bali. The construction of the Pelinggih took less than ten days, from November 18 to November 28, 2024. Work was carried out both day and night with the help of I Kadek Sosiawan from Racana Design, local residents, and community members.
Ibu Made Aniadi, the initiator of the temple’s construction, said that after its inauguration on November 30, the community and Hindu residents in the Netherlands plan to hold the Ngenteg Linggih ceremony on May 3, 2025, coinciding with the Kuningan holiday (Tumpek Kuningan Saniscara Kliwon, Wuku Kuningan).
“The construction of the Pelinggih at Shanta Citta Bhuwana Temple was actually planned back in February 2024. However, due to financial constraints, it was only realized in November 2024,” added Made Aniadi.
The ceremony will invite Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster and a spiritual leader (Ida Bagawan) from Bali as the ceremony leader. Invitations will also be extended to the Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands, the Mayor of Kallenkote, the Head of Local Government (Gemente), the Head of Indonesia Park Kallenkote, the Chairperson of the Bali Abdi Samasta Foundation, heads of the Hindu Balinese community across Europe, ISI Bali, and Racana Design.
“As of now, the number of Hindus in Kallenkote, the Netherlands, is recorded to be around 250 people. We will continue to collect data and invite them to attend the temple’s ‘Pemelaspasan’ ceremony,” said Made Aniadi.
The ceremony will be led by Ida Bagawan, accompanied by the Balinese Pajegan Mask Dance and music from the Hindu Balinese community in the Netherlands. The ceremony will last the entire day, and the “Penyineban” ceremony will take place on May 4, 2025, in the morning.
The struggles of the Balinese community in the Netherlands have not been easy, due to the significant cultural differences and the daily challenges of adapting to life in a foreign country, especially when they first arrived in the Netherlands.
Driven by a deep passion for their beliefs and high ideals, the Balinese community worked hard and was determined to establish a sacred place to gather and share their thoughts in peace in a spacious and serene environment. This is how the Shanta Citta Bhuwana Temple was built in Kallenkote, Netherlands.
“May our spirit in building this temple one day become a legacy for Hindus who live and migrate to this land of windmills,” concluded Made Aniadi. ri/sathya
