Borobudur to Curtail Public Visiting Hours on Vesak Day for Sacred Rituals

RRI.CO.ID, Magelang - Regular tourism operations at Borobudur Temple will be temporarily adjusted on Vesak Day, Sunday, May 31, 2026, to accommodate the sacred religious procession. Public access will remain open until 14.00 local time, after which visitors will be systematically guided to leave the complex so that preparations for the peak rituals can proceed uninterrupted.

The Commercial Director of InJourney Destination Management (IDM), Gistang Richard Panutur, formally known as PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan dan Ratu Boko, explained that these zoning and time restrictions are vital to support the solemnity of the event. Throughout the day, travelers will only be permitted to explore the lower temple courtyard (pelataran) and will be strictly barred from ascending the monument's main stone structure.

"After that time, visitors will be directed to leave the area to prepare for the series of worship services and the peak Vesak event," Gistang stated in Magelang on Sunday, May 24, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

"We remain operationally open until 2 p.m. After 2 p.m., we will encourage visitors to leave the site as we prepare for the Vesak celebrations. Climbing the temple is also prohibited on that day, only as far as the courtyard," he explained.

The annual Vesak celebration at the ancient site continues to serve as a powerful magnet for both cultural and religious tourism, drawing thousands of Buddhist pilgrims and domestic and international holidaymakers alike. This year’s evening festivities are slated to feature highly anticipated visual spectacles on an expanded scale.

According to the head of the Borobudur Vesak Lanterns of Peace committee, Fatmawati, exactly 2,570 peace lanterns are scheduled to be released into the night sky. The tally represents an intentional increase of one lantern compared to the previous year, maintaining a symbolic tradition aimed at bringing good fortune and positive hopes.

"Every year we always add one more lantern to increase our luck. This year, the number is 2,570 peace lanterns," Fatmawati said.

In addition to the lantern release, a sophisticated drone light show will serve as a primary centerpiece for the evening entertainment. The performance will utilize a fleet of 570 synchronized drones, a notable increase from the 450 drones deployed during last year's celebration. Fatmawati noted that the new figure is highly deliberate, specifically matching the final three digits of the current Buddhist Era calendar year.

"If last year there were only 450 drones, now there are 570, taking the last three digits of the Buddhist year," she concluded. ***