Tickets Sold Out, 2,568 Lampions Ready To Fly When The Peak Of Vesak At Borobudur Temple

Director of Marketing and Tourism Program InJourney Maya Watono (right). (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - The peak of the 2024 Vesak celebration at Borobudur Temple was marked by the release of thousands of lanterns. The release of this lantern is an event that is eagerly awaited by the public, it is evident that the Vesak lantern festival ticket has been sold out.

InJourney Tourism Marketing and Program Director Maya Watono said tickets to the lantern festival had been sold out. Maya also apologized for not being able to add ticket sales.

"The tickets have sold out more than 2,000," he said during a press conference in Sarinah, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 8.

Maya said that the ticket quota for the Vesak lantern festival was indeed limited by sellers because it was to maintain the sacredness of worship. Given that the release of the lanterns is part of the Buddhist worship process.

"This time we want to prioritize sacredness, sincerity, the pleasure of praying together for Vesak itself. So it's not just tourism or celebration, but we prioritize sacred, solemn celebrations for Vesak Day, especially on 23 moments of Waisak," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the 2024 Lampion Vesak Fatmawati said that tickets to the 2024 Vesak lantern festival were indeed limited in sales because the field to fly lanterns was also limited.

In addition, Fatmawati said that the release of the lanterns this year is shorter. Because, the moments of Vesak will fall at night.

"We really appreciate the enthusiasm of the people who want to experience the Buddhist rituals in carrying out their worship, but because of the limitations of the place and also we have to maintain the sacredness of the worship of the people, we will limit it with a heavy heart for the solemnity of the Waisak commemoration procession," said Fatmawati.

Fatmawati said that before flying the lanterns, Buddhists would do meditation first. The release of the lanterns becomes a ritual and symbolization in lighting the light of peace in each of them.

"Then, the release of the lanterns is a sign that peace and goodness will be distributed to the world," he said.

Fatmawati also explained that the lanterns being flown could be very high depending on the push of the fire. Even so, he guarantees that it will not interfere with aircraft traffic.

Furthermore, Fatmawati also said that the lanterns to be flown in Boronudur Temple were imported directly from Thailand. He said the lanterns were made of very thin paper and could catch fire in the air.

"It is imported directly from Thailand. The Lantern is made of very thin paper, so if it is flown it can be very high depending on the heat push. Later the above can be burned down," he explained.