Hinduism is a widely popular religion in Indonesia with 1.6% of the total population as of 2023. The nation has the fourth-largest population of Hindus in the world, following Nepal, Bangladesh, and India.
Hinduism was the major religion in the nation until the entry of Islam, and it is still one of Indonesia’s six acknowledged religions. Indonesians began to practice this religion in the 1st century through Indian priests, scholars, traders, and sailors.
Origin
The Indonesian version of Hinduism evolved from the interconnected union of already existing Javanese folk religion, culture, and Hindu beliefs, that Buddhist ideas from the 6th century also synthesized.
In particular, the first Indonesians usually prayed to ancestral spirits; they began to have faith that some individuals’ spiritual energy might inhabit (or may be reincarnated in) certain natural items, living beings, and places, including animals, insects, plants, trees, stones, mountains, forests, or any other highly sacred site.
This invisible spirit and supernatural belief are recognized by the ancient Sundanese, Javanese, and Balinese simply as “Hyang,” which can be referred to either as “ancestral” or “ancestral.” Per modern Indonesian, the term “hyang” reflects its association with the image of God.
Culture & Hindu Temples In Indonesia
The majority of Indonesian Muslims and Christians, mainly people living in Bali, Java, and other islands, embrace tradition and culture just like Hindus.
Indonesia has many renowned and frequently visited Hindus temples, many of them situated in the islands which are suitable places for prayer and tourist activity.
The Hindu temples of Indonesia differ in architecture and structure from the rest places of the world and they are highly diverse among the Indonesians. They have three temple structures; Candi (which is a Hindu temple of Javanese ancient origin), Pura (the temple to pray for Balinese Hindus), and Kuil (the temple is similar to elsewhere with a Gopuram).
In Indonesia, many modern icons are inspired by Hindu culture and practices, as well as it has an important role in their ancient and present-day scenario.
Their government also makes investments and focuses on the religious sites and properties of the Hindu religion, along with Buddhists.
On 3 July 2023, many Hindu devotees in Indonesia scaled an active Java to toss food, animals, and other sacrifices during their centuries-old cultural ceremony as a ritual of the Yadnya Kasada festival. It was their first offering after the Covid-19 pandemic.