Vesak 2026 at Borobudur: 2,570 Lanterns and 570 Drones Adorn the Night Sky

Borobudur Temple, Magelang, Central Indonesia serves as the center for the national Vesak celebration. Despite this, site management has confirmed the Borobudur tourist area will remain open to visitors on the day the ceremony takes place.

This policy allows tourists to still experience the atmosphere of Borobudur amidst the solemn religious proceedings.

Gistang Richard Panutur, Commercial Director of InJourney Destination Management / PT Borobudur Temple Tourism Park, Prambanan and Ratu Boko, confirmed that operational Tourist Visits will remain open until 14.00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time) on Vesak day.

"After this time, visitors will be directed to exit the site to allow preparation for the worship sequence and main Vesak peak event," he stated during an interview in Magelang, Central Java on Sunday.

Tourists arriving during daytime hours will have a slightly different visiting experience compared to normal days. To preserve the solemnity of the religious procession, access to the main temple structure is restricted, with visitors only permitted to remain on the outer courtyard grounds.

"Operationally we stay open until 2 PM. After that time we will begin advising all visitors to depart the site as we set up for the Vesak events. Climbing up onto the temple levels will also be closed for the day, all visitors may only stay on the courtyard," he added.

This year's Vesak night will feature enhanced festive visual presentations. Fatmawati, Head of the Borobudur Vesak Lanterns of Peace Committee, confirmed that more lanterns will be released compared to previous years.

"We add one extra lantern every year for good fortune. This year we will release 2,570 peace lanterns total," she explained.

These thousands of lanterns will light up the sky above Borobudur, acting as a symbol of hope, peace and spiritual reflection for the Vesak observance.

Alongside the lantern release, a drone light show will debut as a New Attraction this year to elevate the celebration's visual appeal. A total of 570 drones will be flown to decorate the night sky over the Borobudur complex.

"Last year we only used 450 drones. This year we increased it to 570, matching the final three digits of the current Buddhist calendar year," she stated.

Vesak is not only a religious observance, but also an international-scale cultural event. Every year, thousands of Domestic Tourists and international visitors Travel here to experience this unique atmosphere that cannot be found elsewhere.

According to Fatmawati, the Borobudur Vesak celebration has developed into a leading Religious Tourism and cultural landmark that continues to capture global attention.

Beneath the glowing lanterns and luminous night sky, Borobudur once again demonstrates it is far more than just a Historical Site — it is a shared gathering space that transcends national borders and generations.