Interesting facts from around the world: A photo of Indonesia’s old 20,000 rupiah banknote with Lord Ganesha has surfaced on social media, with many surprised at the Hindu cultural legacy in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. The note, which was introduced in 1998, had an image of Lord Ganesha and Indonesian education reformer Ki Hajar Dewantara and an image of a schoolroom scene. While some netizens are proud of Hindu heritage, others also appreciate the religious tolerance of Indonesia. “The only nation on earth to feature Lord Ganesha on a note of currency is the most Muslim populated country, Indonesia,” one social media user said, posting the viral image.
Why Lord Ganesha Appeared On The Note
As Bank Indonesia explains, the Lord Ganesha-printed 20,000 rupiah note was one of a series that debuted in 1998. It was withdrawn in 2008 as part of a security upgrade to currency, with the state giving citizens up to December 31, 2018, to exchange the older notes for fresher designs. There are no Lord Ganesha-printed banknotes among Indonesia’s circulating money.
Lord Ganesha, being the god of wisdom, learning, and the arts, must have been the one invoked to represent education and intellectual development, values also embodied by Ki Hajar Dewantara, whose portrait was shown beside. The back of the note depicted a classroom scene, reinforcing the theme of knowledge.
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Hinduism’s Deep Roots In Indonesia
Hinduism reached the Indonesian archipelago as early as the 1st century CE with Indian traders, scholars and priests. It merged with local customs and Buddhism over centuries and impacted powerful kingdoms like Srivijaya and Majapahit. The religion’s legacy is still seen in art, architecture, literature and festivals – particularly in Bali, where Hinduism remains the dominant religion. Epic literature such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata still influence Indonesia’s performing arts, the highly popular Wayang Kulit shadow play, and Balinese classical dance. Iconic monuments such as Prambanan and the cultural values inherent in Indonesia’s state philosophy, Pancasila, also attest to Hindu influence.
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Even though Hinduism comprises barely 1.7 per cent of Indonesia’s population at present, the country formally acknowledges Hinduism as one of its six officially sanctioned religions along with Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism and Confucianism. The presence of Lord Ganesha on national currency, albeit for a temporary period, stands as a legacy of Indonesia’s centuries-old cultural affinity with India and its persistence of “Unity in Diversity.