BLITAR – Plans to build a Hindu temple at Jolosutro Beach in Blitar Regency have resurfaced after years of discussion. However, the project still faces delays because authorities have not secured land for the construction site.
Local officials say the temple would serve Hindu worshippers who perform religious rituals along the southern coast. The site also holds spiritual importance for the Hindu community in Blitar.
Blitar Regent Rijanto said Hindu residents proposed the temple many years ago. Community leaders submitted the idea during several leadership periods of the Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) in Blitar.
“The proposal from our Hindu community has existed for a long time,” Rijanto said while attending the Melasti Ceremony on Sunday.
He explained that the plan already existed during his earlier leadership period. However, land availability and technical preparations prevented the project from moving forward.
Rijanto said the local government will continue coordinating with investors and related institutions. Officials hope the discussions will help resolve land issues and move the plan closer to realization.
He added that Jolosutro Beach holds special spiritual meaning for local Hindus. Many worshippers come to the coast to perform purification rituals before major religious celebrations.
If the temple is built, Hindu communities could use it for prayer after completing the Melasti ceremony at the beach.
“We hope coordination with several parties will help us secure land and begin construction,” Rijanto said.
Setiyoko, a board member of the Blitar chapter of Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia, said a coastal temple would strongly support Hindu religious activities.
He explained that Hindu spiritual traditions recognize sacred locations connected to mountains and the sea. These places often host religious rituals and ceremonial prayers.
“In many traditions, Hindus perform rituals either at the beach or in mountainous areas,” Setiyoko said.
Because of that tradition, the community hopes the temple will stand near Jolosutro Beach. However, the final location still depends on land ownership and available public facilities.
The temple proposal has circulated for years within the local Hindu community. Until now, unresolved land status has remained the main barrier to construction.
Setiyoko said the Blitar Regency Government is currently working to address the issue. Community leaders hope the long-discussed temple can finally become a reality.