Relationship between India & Indonesia rooted in shared culture, history: Modi

03/02/2025

NEW DELHI, Feb 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday the relationship between India and Indonesia is not just geo-political but is rooted in thousands of years of shared culture and history.
The PM made these remarks during Maha Kumbabhishegam of Shri Sanathana Dharma Aalayam in Jakarta, Indonesia via video message today.
He emphasized that the bond between the two nations is based on heritage, science, faith, shared beliefs, and spirituality... adding that this connection includes Lord Murugan, Lord Ram and Lord Buddha.
Modi also highlighted that when someone from India visits the Prambanan Temple in Indonesia, they experience the same spiritual feeling as in Kashi and Kedarnath.
He noted that the stories of Kakawin and Serat Ramayana evoke the same emotions as Valmiki Ramayana, Kamba Ramayana, and Ramcharitmanas in India.
He mentioned that the Indonesian Ramleela is also performed in Ayodhya, India.
Modi stated, "Hearing "Om Swasti-Astu" in Bali reminds Indians of the Vedic scholars' blessings in India."
The PM remarked that the relationship between India and Indonesia is woven with many strong threads.
He highlighted that the new grand Murugan Temple in Jakarta adds a new golden chapter to the centuries-old heritage and expressed confidence that this temple will become a new centre for both faith and cultural values.
During his message, the PM also extended greetings to President Prabowo Subianto, Chairman of the Murugan Temple Trust Pa Hashim, Managing Trustee Dr Kobala.
"The cultural values, heritage and legacy are enhancing people-to-people connections between India and Indonesia," he noted.
Virtually delivering remarks at the Maha Kumbabhishegam of Shri Sanathana Dharma Aalayam in Jakarta, Indonesia, PM Modi emphasised that despite the geographical distance, the connection between the two nations remains strong, built on a "heritage, history, and faith."
"It is my pleasure that I have become a part of the Maha Kumbabishekam of the Murugan Temple in Jakarta. I am far from Jakarta but my mind is close to it just like India and Indonesia are close to each other. I extend my wishes to all the people there on the occasion of Maha Kumbabhishegam," PM Modi said in is remarks.
"To the people of India and Indonesia, our relationships are not just geopolitical, We are associated with culture. We are associated with a history dating back to thousands of years. Our relationship is about heritage, science, faith, and spirituality," he added.
The Jakarta Murugan Temple, also known as Shri Sanathana Dharma Aalayam, has a unique 40 metres tall Raja Gopuram named as Visera Gopuram with 20 metres tall lord Muruga statue in the front of it. The Kumbhabhishekam of the temple is being held today.
The temple's major facilities include multipurpose hall with a capacity of 1,200 people, Tiruvalluar Mandapam, classroom for the languages and Bhagavad Geeta, Hindu cultural and folk - dance centres, Museum of Indian culture in Indonesia, Yoga and meditation rooms, transit place, big and small meeting rooms, free natural healing clinic, groceries shop, small and big warehouse, library for around 2000 Hinduism books and Gurukul House.
According to the Consulate General of India in Medan, Indonesia, India and Indonesia have shared two millennia of close cultural and commercial contacts. The Hindu, Buddhist and later Muslim faith travelled to Indonesia from the shores of India. The stories from great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata form source of Indonesian folk art and dramas. The shared culture, colonial history and post-independence goals of political sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency and independent foreign policy have unifying effect on the bilateral relations.

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