Ministry of Culture Strengthens Borobudur Preservation Through Relic Relocation Ritual

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Culture Minister Fadli Zon attended the Ritual Ageng Boyongan Mbah Bhelet, or the relocation of the Unfinished Buddha statue, known locally as “Mbah Bhelet,” in the Borobudur Temple area, Magelang, Central Java. This activity forms part of the Ministry of Culture’s (Kemenbud) commitment to strengthening the preservation of cultural heritage, particularly in the Borobudur Temple area as one of the world’s cultural heritage sites. In a statement received and confirmed in Jakarta on Sunday, Fadli conveyed that the relocation of the statue represents an important step in efforts to develop culture. The Unfinished Buddha statue was previously buried beneath the main stupa of Borobudur Temple and then stored at the Karmawibhangga Museum. Now, the statue is being moved to Kenari Field in the Borobudur Temple area to make it more accessible to the public, tourists, and pilgrims engaging in religious or cultural tourism. “The relocation of this statue has been consulted with artists, cultural experts, local figures, as well as Bante and Biksu. It is hoped that placing the statue at Kenari Field will bring stronger cultural and spiritual values, while also making it more accessible,” Fadli stated. He also expressed appreciation to the Borobudur Village Customary Institution community, particularly through the Wayang Ruwat performance led by Ki Dalang Darmo Widjoyo, and prayers led by local religious figures, as part of the customary procession marking the placement of the Unfinished Buddha statue. “With this tradition, we see a journey, a spiritual journey, aimed at obtaining blessings and goodness, and serving as a complement and completion to what we have,” he said. The Borobudur Temple area not only holds monumental cultural heritage but also layers of civilisation that are an important part of the nation’s history and cultural identity. The Unfinished Buddha itself is a statue considered incomplete because the carving on this statue is not perfect, thus opening up space for scientific and archaeological interpretation while reflecting the uniqueness of civilisation in Indonesia. Fadli emphasised that the relocation of the Unfinished Buddha statue will be completed alongside the 2026 Tri Suci Waisak celebration. “We encourage the pedestal and statue to be completed as soon as possible before the Tri Suci Waisak celebration on 31 May 2026,” he said. He affirmed that the Ministry of Culture continues to promote the development of a cultural ecosystem through the revitalisation of cultural sites and museums, accelerating the registration of national cultural heritage, and strengthening the cultural industry as part of efforts to advance sustainable culture.