30,000 Vegetarian Meals for Chinese New Year at Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya

TheIndonesia.id - The Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple in Batam City, Riau Islands Province, is offering a generous 30,000 vegetarian meals for the Chinese New Year celebrations marking the year 2576 Kongzili.

The temple, led by Pandita Liyas Masri, has curated 10 different vegetarian meal options, including fried rice noodles, fried rice, and a variety of vegetable dishes, served buffet-style for visitors to enjoy.

"We're serving meals in seven to eight buffet rows for people to help themselves," Masri said, according to Antara News Agency.

He's emphasizing that the meals are available for all, not just for Chinese or Confucian residents. Around 300 individuals have worked together to prepare the food, available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Masri explained that consuming vegetarian meals on the first day of the new year symbolizes respect for life and a desire for smooth and harmonious living.

Visitors are encouraged to be mindful of food waste and consume according to their needs, as the temple celebrates this meaningful occasion through both religious rituals and communal dining. With an expected turnout of 30,000 visitors, the celebration has become a key part of Batam’s Lunar New Year festivities.