Balinese Temple Inaugurated in the Netherlands: A First in Europe

TheIndonesia.co - For European travellers who wish to experience a glimpse of Bali without flying to Indonesia, there's now a unique opportunity to witness the beauty of a traditional Balinese temple much closer to home.

As reported by Antara News Agency, Bali Governor Wayan Koster recently officiated the opening and conducted the Hindu melaspas (purification ceremony) for the Santa Citta Bhuwana Temple, located in Kallenkote, the Netherlands.

The temple stands within the grounds of “Taman Indonesia,” a park owned by Marlisa and Diederik Wareman, who generously donated a portion of their land to the Bali Abdi Samasta Foundation, led by Made Aniadi, out of love for Indonesia and Bali.

The temple was entirely initiated and built by the Balinese community in the Netherlands, with funding raised through communal effort (gotong-royong), supported by the Indonesian Embassy in the Netherlands and the Bali Provincial Government.

"This is the first Balinese temple in Europe constructed through a collective effort by the Balinese diaspora," Governor Koster stated in Denpasar. "Even the building materials were shipped directly from Bali."

In a show of gratitude and pride, Governor Koster contributed to the cost of the melaspas ceremony, which included Balinese Hindu priests and a full religious procession. The temple was inaugurated in time for the sacred holiday of Kuningan.

"I hope the Balinese community in the Netherlands uses this temple not just for religious observance, but also as a space for togetherness, preserving unity and cultural identity as a tribute to Indonesia," he added.

Indonesia’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mayerfas, who was present at the event, said this temple is not just a source of pride for Balinese people, but for all Indonesians.

"The idea to build a temple has existed for a long time, but construction only began in 2023. This marks the first Balinese temple in Europe created entirely through community cooperation," he said, thanking Governor Koster for attending in person.