Borobudur Temple Operations Restricted Until 2pm on Waisak Day 2026

Tourist operations at Borobudur Temple in Central Java will be restricted until 2pm WIB on Waisak Day, 31 May 2026, to ensure the smooth conduct of religious rituals and main celebrations. Commercial Director of InJourney Destination Management (IDM), Gistang Richard Panutur, explained that after the cutoff time, all visitors will be asked to leave the temple grounds, with access limited to the courtyard area only. ‘Operationally, we remain open until 2pm. After that, we will begin advising visitors to leave the site as we prepare for the Waisak ceremonies. Climbing to the upper levels of the temple will not be permitted on that day, only up to the courtyard,’ Gistang said in Magelang on Sunday (24 May). This year’s Waisak celebrations are set to be vibrant with an increase in symbolic attributes. Fatmawati, Chair of the Borobudur Waisak Peace Lanterns, stated that 2,570 peace lanterns will be released into the sky above Borobudur. ‘We add one lantern each year for good fortune. This year, there will be 2,570 peace lanterns,’ Fatmawati said. In addition to lanterns, a key attraction is the drone show. A total of 570 drones will be deployed to illuminate the night sky, a significant increase from last year’s 450 units. The number 570 references the last three digits of the Buddhist year. The combination of the lantern tradition and drone technology is expected to remain a magnet for religious and cultural tourism for thousands of Buddhists and domestic and international visitors, despite physical access restrictions to the main temple structure to maintain solemnity during worship. The Pindapata procession will follow Benyamin Sueb Street, starting from Mega Kemayoran Roundabout (MGK), proceeding to BNI Roundabout, and returning to the starting point. Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Nasaruddin Umar stated that the Pindapata tradition during Waisak is not merely a religious ritual but a lesson in life. The Waisak moment is marked by the striking of a gong precisely at 23:55:29 WIB, taking place at the altar on Borobudur Temple’s courtyard in Magelang Regency. To commemorate the 2025 Waisak holy day, the East Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Corrections granted special remission to 24 Buddhist prisoners. This year’s Waisak theme is ‘Self-control and wisdom as the foundation for building peace in global society.’