Thousands of Lanterns are Flown Into Borobudur Sky to Celebrate Vesak

Benedicta Avena
Writing A
May 10th, 2017

          The release of lanterns is the most awaited moment by Buddhists, not least by the public, in every celebration of Vesak in Borobudur Temple, Magelang, Central Java. This procession presents different situation, sacred, and beautiful mixed into one. On Vesak 2561 BE, Wednesday night (10/5/2017), thousands of people came to this temple. They came since afternoon and have been standing in their positions at the location of the release of lanterns in Aksobya Park. The release of lanterns is done seconds before Vesak on Thursday at dawn (11/5/2017). This year, the committee provides 1999 lanterns. Buddhists first must pray before releasing the lanterns. They stick papers with prayers or life resolutions on it which they hope to fly high together with the lantern to the sky. Different from last year, the release of lanterns was divided into three sections. The process was started at around 9 p.m. and ended at around 11 p.m.