Try to open Veda reading contest

PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Vice President Try Soetrisno is scheduled to open the 6th national Veda reading contest on June 26 here.

The Veda is the holy book for Hindus.

Ketut Pasek, the director general for Hindu affairs at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, said recently in Jakarta that at least 675 Veda readers from across the nation will take part in the four-day Ustada Dharma Gita contest.

Pasek said the opening ceremony will be attended by representatives from the five recognized religions in Indonesia: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism and Buddhism.

The opening ceremony of the Rp 670 million (US$288,793) event will also feature traditional Dayak dancing, the indigenous people of Kalimantan.

The first Hindu monarchy, Kutai, was situated in Palangkaraya in the fourth century. (01)