Indonesia develops spiritual tourism hinh anh 1Buddhist monks walk through Borobudur temple during a ceremony on Vesak Day in Magelang in Indonesia's central Java province (Photo: Reuters)
 
Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia has planned to develop spiritual tourism at the world’s largest Buddhist temple Borobudur in Java province, central Indonesia, with a view of promoting peace and bringing harmony across the world.

A cultural introduction programme was held on March 27 by Tidar Heritage Foundation (THF) in Magelang city, near Borobudur temple, attended by representatives of embassies, among others from China, Lebanon, Oman, the Philippines, Australia, Germany, Hungary, Mongolia and Croatia.

The initiation event was themed a folk tale about a Mount Tidar-born holy man named Brotonirmoyo who spread teaching of spiritualism of peace and harmony regardless race, culture and religious differences in ancient era.

It is expected to promote Magelang as an Indonesian spiritual destination, making it an alternative to Rome or Jerusalem, said a THF official.

Built during the ancient Javanese kingdom era in the ninth century, Borobudur temple is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. It is also one of ten new attractions developed to boost tourism as a spearhead of the Indonesian economy.

The 2,500-square-metre temple is favoured by foreign visitors eager to undertake pilgrimage trips and those curious about ancient civilisation showed in stone reliefs sculptured in its walls.-VNA
VNA