The Borobudur Lantern Festival will take place on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. local time, coinciding with the Vesak celebrations at Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java.
Ryan Eka Permana Sakti, spokesperson for InJourney Destination Management, announced that ticket sales for the lantern festival commenced a month ago, managed by the Mahanikaya Indonesia Buddhist Council (MBMI).
“The tickets for the Borobudur Lantern Festival have sold out due to overwhelming enthusiasm,” Ryan told Kompas.com on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
Ryan noted that the lanterns to be released during the Vesak celebrations are made from environmentally friendly materials, ensuring they fully decompose in the sky, leaving no waste behind.
For the preparations of Vesak, regular visits to Borobudur Temple will be restricted to 1:00 p.m. local time. “Following this, the area will be conditioned for the observance of Vesak moments,” Ryan explained.
Schedule and Events for Vesak 2024 at Borobudur
The Borobudur Lantern Festival is a highlight in the series of events for Vesak 2024 at Borobudur Temple. According to the official Instagram of the Borobudur Lantern Festival 2024 (@injourney.id), the lantern release is part of the closing ceremonies of the Vesak commemorations.
Here is the schedule and lineup for Vesak 2024 at Borobudur:
Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, 2024
- Free medical services at Lumbini Park, Borobudur Temple
Monday, May 20, 2024
- Three Steps One Bow Mahayana Tradition (San Bu Yi Pai) at Borobudur Temple, 5:00-6:00 a.m.
- Nyingma Monlam Chenmo Indonesia at Aksobya Park, Borobudur Temple, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Reception of Thudong monks at Marga Utama, Borobudur Temple, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
- Pradaksina and prayers by Thudong monks at Borobudur Temple, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Evening worship and meditation at Kenari Field, Borobudur Temple, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
- Pradaksina Theravada Tradition at Borobudur Temple, 6:00-9:00 a.m.
- Dharma Fire collection in Mrapen, Grobogan, 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Sacred Dharma Fire ritual at Mendut Temple, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
- Nyingma Monlam Chenmo Indonesia at Aksobya Park, Borobudur Temple, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Larung Pelita Purnama Siddhi Tantrayana Tradition on the Progo River, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
- Evening worship and meditation at Kenari Field, Borobudur Temple, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
- Atthasila Mahayana Tradition at Borobudur Temple, 4:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Pradaksina Theravada Tradition at Borobudur Temple, 6:00-9:00 a.m.
- Alms procession to celebrate Vesak at Mendut Temple, starting at 9:30 a.m.
- Sacred Water collection at Umbul Jumprit, Temanggung, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Sacred Water ritual at Mendut Temple, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- 3rd Borobudur Peace and Prosperity Festival at Aksobya Park, Borobudur Temple, 4:00-9:00 p.m.
- Evening worship and meditation at Kenari Field, Borobudur Temple, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 23, 2024
- Mandala Earth Festival and Zhambala Tantrayana Ritual at Ngawen Temple, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Mahasanghadana for 90 Bhikkhus at Bante Win Meditation Center, Borobudur, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Preparations, Paritta recitation, Mantra, and Sutra at Mendut Temple, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Vesak procession from Mendut Temple to Borobudur Temple, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- Vesak moment observance on May 23, 2024, at 8:52:42 p.m. at Kenari Field, Borobudur Temple
- National Vesak Lantern Festival at Marga Utama, Borobudur Temple, 7:00-10:30 p.m.
Friday, May 24, 2024
- Mindful walking meditation at Borobudur Temple, 7:00-9:00 a.m.
Thursday-Sunday, May 23-26, 2024
- Medang Market at Main Gate Plaza, Borobudur Temple, starting at 7:00 a.m.
As always, these events promise a spiritually enriching experience and a vibrant celebration of Vesak at the historic Borobudur Temple.
