Commemorating the 108th Antiquity Day, Volunteers Clean Prambanan Temple

Dozens of people from various community organizations participated in an environmental cleanup activity at Prambanan Temple, Sunday (13/6/2021). The activity to commemorate the 108th Antiquity Day was also held simultaneously at 9 temples in DIY and Central Java, such as Sewu Temple, Plaosan Temple, Sojiwan Temple, Ratu Boko Palace, Barong Temple, Sambisari Temple, Merak Temple and Karangnongko Temple.

The participants who came from the Hindu Dharma Youth Association (PMHB), Hindu Dharma Student Union (KMHD), Hindu Religious Counselors and Hindu Religious Teachers in DIY and Central Java had been ready since morning by bringing community service equipment such as brooms and sickles.

They combed the courtyard II of Prambanan Temple to clean up scattered leaves and pull out grass and moss growing wild on the statues that are still being restored. The temple cleaning still follows the rules of restoring historical objects, such as not being allowed to move temple stones.

Director General of Hindu Community Guidance of the Indonesian Ministry of Religion, Tri Handoko Seto, invited all participants to appreciate the best works of their predecessors as masterpieces that need to be preserved.

"We interpret it as our concern to preserve and glorify these temples. Hopefully, this concern will increase our sense of shared ownership and support the preservation of these historical sites," he said when opening the activity.