Sitinjo, a unique spiritual tourism site<\/p>\n
Besalicto S. T., Contributor, Sitinjo, North Sumatra<\/p>\n
Imagine you are on top of a mountain surrounded by forests.
\nThe slightly overcast sky seems close to you. Around you there
\nare only trees.<\/p>\n
Through the trees you can see a wide valley below. In the
\ndistance is a chain of thousands of mountains, shrouded in
\nbeautiful blues. And quiet. Only birdsong occasionally breaking
\nthe total silence.<\/p>\n
Such is the environment found at a spiritual tourism site in
\nSitinjo, about nine kilometers to the east of Sidikalang, the
\ncapital city of Dairi regency in North Sumatra province.<\/p>\n
Sidikalang is a mountainous city about 160 kilometers to the
\nwest of Medan. The regency is located on the western flank of
\nLake Toba, the biggest lake in Asia. Part of the beautiful lake
\ncan be seen at Lae Pondom on the way to Sitinjo.<\/p>\n
Dairi Regent M.P. Tumanggor said that due to its mountainous
\ntopography his administration has developed the Sitinjo area as a
\nspiritual tourism site.<\/p>\n
All religions have shown that mountains and sky are two
\ncombined things that can bring you closer to God. \"I think the
\nmountainous area of Sitinjo can create such a spiritual
\nenvironment for visitors,\" Tumanggor said recently.<\/p>\n
He said they had built five houses of worship for the major
\nreligions -- a mosque for Islam, a Catholic and Protestant
\nchurch, and a Hindu and Buddhist temple, on a 13-hectare area on
\ntop of the Sitinjo mountain.<\/p>\n
Other facilities have also been provided to cater for
\nreligious activities, such as a simulation of the hajj pilgrimage
\nto Mecca, and a religious retreat for Christians.<\/p>\n
For visitors who want to stay for several days, there is a
\nsmall inn which can accommodate about 100 visitors. But since the
\narea is only nine kilometers from Sidikalang, visitors can also
\nstay in a hotel in the regency's capital.<\/p>\n
According to the regent, the tourism site will increase
\ntolerance among followers of the five religions as they can see
\nand visit each other's houses of worship.<\/p>\n
\"There you can see a Muslim enter the church and see for
\nthemselves what it is and how its believers practice their
\nreligion. Or a Christian enter the mosque and to take a closer
\nlook at the religion.\"<\/p>\n
Because of its uniqueness, there being nothing else like it in
\nIndonesia, a number of high ranking officials have made a visit
\nto Sitinjo. Among them are Bagir Manan when he was the head of
\nthe Supreme Court, Army Chief of Staff Ryamizard Ryacudu, Said
\nAgil Al Munawar when he was Minister for Religious Affairs during
\nthe administration of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, and of
\ncourse North Sumatra Governor T. Rizal Nurdin.<\/p>\n
The regent said the numbers of visitors to the site are
\nincreasing. Since its development last year, the site had been
\nvisited by around 1,500 people, including those from Jakarta. But
\nuntil now only a few foreign tourists have visited the area, he
\nnoted.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe it's because the place is not yet being promoted
\nthrough travel bureaus. So we need to do more publicity,\" he
\nsaid. \"But next year (2005), we'll market a spiritual tourism
\npackage through the travel bureaus and will provide a guide for
\nforeign tourists. I think amid the current crisis at the national
\nlevel and religious conflicts in some parts of the world, people
\nneed this kind of tourism.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sitinjo-a-unique-spiritual-tourism-site-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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