Waisak Day, celebrated at the Borobudur Temple
Central Java
Waisak is one of the main Buddhist holidays – celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and transition to Nirvana (i.e. the death) of the Buddha. Buddhist canonical texts say these events all took place on the same day – the full moon of the sixth lunar month. This means that although the calendar date of the festival is mobile, the evening is always a full moon May night. Waisak is ranked among Indonesia's public holidays. Its most spectacular celebrations are at the Borobudur Temple Complex (built at the turn of the 8th &9th centuries AD) – Indonesia's most famous Buddhist temple. On the eve of Waisak, Buddhists from across Indonesia and beyond flock to Borobudur.
The holiday events at Borobudur begin from early morning, A ceremonial procession begins at the Mendut Buddhist Temple, leading to Borobudur over a distance of 3.5 kilometres along the way.
This pedestrian procession marks the opening of Waisak, whose main events take place at the Borobudur Temple Complex. The holiday has special significance for Buddhists, but non-Buddhists too come to watch the beautiful ceremonies.
By mid-day, when the procession has reached the Borobudur Temple, the official opening ceremony takes place – at a location directly in front of the shrine. The believers then gather in groups – each of which performs a number of religious rituals.
The official opening of the Waisak festival, in front of the Borobudur Temple Complex.
Waisak at Borobodur concludes with a night ceremony, during which the monks recite sacred texts, believers meditate and pray, and make ritual circuits of the tiers of the temple complex while carrying candles and incense.
Thousands of airborne torches are released in the evening – each has a wish, written on paper attached to the torch.
The circuit of the eight tiers of the Borobudur Temple ends at the very top – at the openwork stupas with Buddha statues. Touching these statues is said to bring good karma.
