Meditating Buddha Statue Adorns Bundaran HI for Waisak 2026 Celebrations

JAKARTA – A meditating Buddha statue atop a lotus flower adorns Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) in Central Jakarta for the Waisak 2026 celebrations. The nearly 2-metre tall statue is positioned on the northern side of Bundaran HI’s fountain, facing south towards the water feature and with its back to the Bundaran HI Transjakarta bus stop. Directly in front of the statue stands the ‘Illumination of Jakarta: Glow of Peace’ stage for the Waisak 2570 BE (2026) commemoration. On Friday evening, the stage featured dance performances, songs, and kulintang orchestra playing Waisak-themed music. Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno attended the event and delivered a speech. Elsewhere near Bundaran HI, several Waisak-themed installations were set up. For instance, at the front of the Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, a light installation shaped like Borobudur Temple stands as a gateway. At the Hotel Pullman’s entrance, a colourful lantern installation titled ‘Lotus Light Pathway’ in yellow, white, and pink hues was displayed. The 5-metre-long tunnel installation featured pink lotus flowers on both sides. The lantern installation drew crowds, with residents queuing to take photos inside the tunnel on Friday evening. A short distance away, the Buddha Illumination Park installation featured a standing Buddha statue atop a Bodhi tree. The ‘Illumination of Jakarta: Glow of Peace’ installations ran from 28 May to 1 June 2026.