It can be seen from the design of the roof, which is a traditional Javanese roof with a kalpataru (tree) pattern.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry has readied tourism accommodation facilities (sarhunta) for the visitors of Borobudur Temple ahead of the Buddhists’ 2022 Vesak Day celebration.

The temple, located at Magelang District, Central Java Province, is the world’s largest Buddhist temple which hosts the holy day celebration every year.

Meanwhile, the sarhunta program is a self-help housing assistance (BSPS) program conducted by the Directorate General of Housing of the ministry to improve the quality of the community’s housing units to become more liveable.

The program can also increase the people’s economy since they can rent the houses as homestays for the tourists.

"The government believes that tourism is the main economic sector which can recover quickly from the COVID-19 pandemic,” PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said in a statement received here on Sunday.

Hence, infrastructure development program, such as the construction of the sarhunta, at the five Super Priority Tourism Destinations (DPSP), including the Borobudur Temple, is not halted even in the midst of the pandemic, he added.

The development of the tourism facilities at the Borobudur Temple ahead of the 2022 Vesak Day celebration is intended to accommodate the Buddhists who will come to the temple.

There are 821 houses throughout Magelang District which have received the housing assistance.

Some 382 house in 15 villages were revitalized by additional homestay facilities, while another 439 units in four villages were improved without business purposes.

Director General of Housing of the ministry Iwan Suprijanto has informed that the sarhunta units built by the ministry have several unique characteristics which distinguish them from other housing units.

“It can be seen from the design of the roof, which is a traditional Javanese roof with a kalpataru (tree) pattern. There is also a homestay terrace, while the doors and windows are adorned with kawung batik motifs and exposed brick frames,” he remarked.

The houses are also equipped with adequate lodging facilities, including bedroom with exposed wall brick and clean standard bathroom.

It is expected that the construction of the sarhunta can improve the welfare of the community and the quality of housing around Borobudur Temple.

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Translator: Aji Cakti, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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