Demonstrating its strong commitment to community empowerment and cultural preservation, Institut Agama Hindu Negeri (IAHN) Gde Pudja Mataram once again brought academia closer to society through its Interdisciplinary Community Service Program (PKM Mandiri Lintas Prodi) held from May 25–29, 2026, in Seraya Mukih Village, East Peresak Hamlet, Karang Bayan Village, Lingsar District, West Lombok. Carrying the theme “Training on Upakara Yadnya and Pemayun as a Medium for Preserving Hindu Cultural Heritage,” the program became a meaningful platform for cultural education, spiritual empowerment, and intergenerational knowledge transfer within the Hindu community. The initiative also reflected the university’s vision of becoming a transformative Hindu higher education institution that actively contributes to society through education, service, and cultural engagement.
The opening ceremony was attended by university representatives, religious and traditional leaders, local government officials, Hindu youth communities, temple custodians, and residents from surrounding villages. The warm enthusiasm from the community highlighted how deeply the program resonated with local needs, especially in strengthening religious understanding and preserving ancestral traditions in rural areas. Chairman of the organizing committee, Ida Bagus Benny Surya Adi Pramana, M.I.Kom., explained that the program was designed not merely as a ceremonial outreach activity, but as a collaborative movement between campus and community to sustain the living values of Hindu culture.
According to him, traditions must not only be inherited symbolically; younger generations must also understand their philosophical and spiritual significance in order to keep them relevant in modern sCommuniMeanwhile, the Head of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram, Dr. Ni Luh Sinar Ayu Ratna Dewi, S.S., M.Ag., emphasized that cultural identity lives within the hearts and daily practices of the people themselves. She highlighted that Hindu rituals, offerings, and sacred traditions are not simply aesthetic practices, but profound spiritual expressions containing values of harmony, purification, devotion, and balance with nature.
She further explained that the interdisciplinary approach of the program allowed participants to gain holistic insights from various academic perspectives, including theology, philosophy, culture, sociology, and communication studies. Through this approach, IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram seeks to ensure that communities not only learn how to prepare ritual offerings, but also understand the deeper meanings embedded in every sacred element and ceremonial process. Rector of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram, Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Wirata, A.Ma., S.E., M.Si., M.Pd., stated that the program reflected the university’s genuine concern for strengthening Hindu communities, particularly those living in remote areas that require greater educational attention and empowerment. He underlined that knowledge is a vital foundation for improving quality of life and reaffirmed the institution’s readiness to continue supporting society through sustainable educational and community service initiatives.
The program also received strong appreciation from temple communities, village leaders, and local residents who expressed hope that similar activities would continue in the future. They viewed the presence of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram as a source of new inspiration for strengthening religious education rooted in local wisdom while encouraging younger generations to remain connected to their cultural identity.
Representatives from the Indonesian Hindu Council (PHDI) of West Lombok Regency and Lingsar District likewise praised the initiative, describing it as a strategic effort to preserve Hindu traditions amid rapid globalization and social transformation. They emphasized the importance of collaboration between higher education institutions and religious organizations in nurturing a culturally grounded and spiritually resilient Hindu generation. Support was also conveyed by the Hindu Guidance Division of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of West Lombok Regency, which highlighted the significance of synergy among universities, government institutions, villages, and religious organizations in fostering social harmony, religious moderation, and cultural sustainability within the community.
As part of strengthening institutional partnerships, the event also featured the signing of several cooperation agreements between IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram, PHDI West Lombok Regency, PHDI Lingsar District, and Karang Bayan Village. In addition, memorandums of agreement between LPPM IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram and its local partners were established to support future collaborations in community empowerment, cultural education, and preservation programs.
Through this impactful initiative, IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram reaffirmed its role not only as a center of academic excellence, but also as a university deeply engaged in empowering communities, preserving Hindu cultural heritage, and strengthening spiritual values for a more harmonious and sustainable future.
(by: DKS)
