Waisak in Borobudur
Buddhist festival · Magelang, Indonesia
The festival
In Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple, Waisak celebrates the birth, the Awakening and the death of the Buddha on the day of the full moon. Months and faithful gather first at the temple of Mendut, then win Borobudur in procession, before prayers and meditation at the foot of the UNESCO World Heritage monument.
In the evening, thousands of lanterns rose above the temple, symbol of enlightenment, rebirth and hope. The 2026 edition culminated on Sunday, May 31, with a lantern release in two sessions, followed by a meditative pradaksina at the dawn of June 1.
Good to know
Main celebration at the temple of Borobudur (Magelang, Central Java): procession from the temple of Mendut, prayers and release of lanterns in the evening. Lunar festival: the date changes each year (May-June).