FUND RAISING NIGHT FOR OEBANANTHA TEMPLE RENOVATION

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Sept 7 (ANTARA) - Some 5,000 Balinese members of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Association (PHDI) in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, held a fund raising night for the renovation of the Oebanantha temple in Kelapa Lima district, Sunday (6/9).

"Since it was built in 1960, only a minor renovation was done in 1994. Now the temple looks like an ancient building, it caused concern, therefore and prompt us to organize this fund raising event in saving Kupang's oldest temple," the event chief organizer Sahadewa said here Sunday.

Shadewa said in order to renovate the temple totally, at least Rp1.2 billion is needed.

"If the organizers' effort failed, we would conduct minor renovation like that conducted in 1994," he said.

The fund raising night was held at the East Nusa Tenggara governor Drs Frans Lebu's hall, also highlighted by Balinese traditional dances, songs, gamelan, charity or song auction and a culinary display, he said.

In the event, some Balinese traditional food such as tubers, corn, papaya's flowers, meat and some East Nusa Tenggara local foods.

In the event also sponsored by the governor's wife, Lucia Adinda Lebu Raya, the organizers sent some 500 invitations but only 375 had been met.

During Ms. Lucia Lebu's performance while she sang the "Bungan Sandat" during the event, the governor's wife managed to collect raise some Rp65 million.

Frans Lebu, said that everybody must support one another, especially to maintain religious buildings.

"Everyone's charity and support for public purposes, would be hugely rewarded in the world or in heaven," he said.

Therefore, the governor thanked everybody who attended the event for their participation and a chance to help each other in many aspects.