Waisak Festival at Borobudur

The city of Borobudur is located not far from Mendut in Indonesia. In this city, the people of Indonesia celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. The city of Borobudur was built during 9th century AD. Today, the city boasts the largest Buddhist monument in the world, as shown in the photograph. Interestingly, it took more than 100 years, three generations of men to complete this monument.

As you make the five-mile journey from Mendut to Borobudur, you cannot help but notice the Buddha sitting peacefully. For the Waisak Festival, literally hundreds of monks walk the five miles wearing saffron robes while carrying their special offering of candles and flowers. As the moon rises into the dark night, the stone exterior of the ancient temple shines brightly. Soon, the candles are lit and then the monks will begin their time of prayer, meditation, and chanting into the evening. As you can imagine, the vision is something to behold.

As you ascend to the top of the temple, you will feel as if you have taken some type of symbolic walk through life. As you walk to the lower level, you see mortals depicted in incredible stone carvings. Then as you wind your way up the pathway, it will begin to circle around the monument where more stone carvings are seen but this time of people who followed the teachings of Buddha and as a result, rewarded with reincarnation into higher forms of life.

Other stone carvings are intricately carved with the lives of priests, dancers, kings, warriors, sea voyages, and elephant processions. Finally, that pathway will wind upwards, leading to you a brick and mortar version of Nirvana. Within is the absence of suffering and what the Buddhists believe heaven to be. Regardless of the time of year you visit Borobudur, you will be mesmerized, but during the May Waisak Festival, you will be enlightened.

Other people who have gone to the celebrations at the Mendut and Borobudur temples will tell you that there is nothing quite like it. The praying, chanting, and procession of the Buddhist monks leaves you feeling warm and cleansed. To complete the festival, both monks and adherents from Mendut and Borobudur come the following morning where they light incense and at sunset, make offerings.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

The Emerald Islands of Indonesia
Described as floating emerald islands, for centuries, Indonesia has been a place that draws in people from around the world to include missionaries, European colonizers, backcountry adventurers, Indian and Chinese
... continue >>

Indonesian Backcountry
Today when traveling to Indonesia, you have to be careful. Although a magnificent country, featuring more than 13,000 of the most beautiful islands,
... continue >>

Water Adventures in Indonesia
With water all around Indonesia, some of the most beautiful water in the world it is no wonder that water sports are very popular for both locals and visitors. You can visit any number of beaches to enjoy boating,
... continue >>