Celebration of Waisak

13 May 2006 - With a smouldering Mount Merapi volcano at the background, the 13th of May 2006 was the day of celebration of Waisak (agreed date on which Buddhists celebrate the birth of Buddha). One of the biggest events took place on the venue of the majestic Borobudur temple in central Java.

		Buddha in gold A statue of Buddha in front of the Mendut Temple (Candi Mendut), not too far from the ...			In between offerings The same statue of Buddha front of the Mendut Temple (Candi Mendut). There is a wide range ...			Candles around the temple Around the Mendut Temple (Candi Mendut), candles are placed and burned. ...
		Buddhists walk to the temple Buddhist people are walking to the Mendut Temple (Candi Mendut) in a form of procession. ...			ID-card counter Instead of only paying an entrance fee, ID-card batches were required as well. This caused some administrative ...			Waiting in a 'queue' However this is not the only place in Indonesia where people don't organise proper queue's, all people ...
		Traditional transport Some people who are on their way to the big Waisak day celebration at the Borobudur temple ...			Altar at Borobudur At the Borobudur temple complex (northwest of Yogyakarta, south of Magelang) a huge altar as been built ...			Big and colorful Big candles in all kinds of colors are available to offer to Buddha on the big altar ...
		Meditation Buddhist monks are meditating near the main temple of the Borobudur temple complex at Waisak, a buddhist ...			Pledge to Pancasila Outside the normal religious ceremonies that are organised on Waisak, today there was also an additional ceremony ...			Show of loyalty A car with a big Garuda (symbolic eagle for the Indonesian republic) on top is shown at ...
		The symbolic Garuda The symbolic Garuda. This symbol of the Indonesian republic is one big expression of symbolism. The number ...			Preparing for prayers Buddhist monks prepare for a mass prayer near the main temple of the Borobudur temple complex in ...			Procession to prayer Buddhist monks walk to the main temple at the Borobudur temple complex in central Java, where Buddhists ...
		Procession to prayer More people proceed to the main temple of the main temple at the Borobudur temple complex in ...			Smoking volcano At the background of this celebration of the Buddhist day of Waisak is the smouldering Mount Merapi ...			When Waisak is over At dusk, when most of the ceremonies for Waisak are over, the big statue of buddha at ...
		Wayang puppet show In the evening, after most of the celebrations for Waisak at the Borobudur temple complex are held, ...			Borobudur at night A nicely lit Borobudur temple in central Java. After the main celebrations of Waisak here, the temple ...			'Flame of Peace' This year's theme for the celebration of Waisak was 'Flame of Peace'. In a show this is ...
		Vice-President Jusuf Kalla Vice-President Jusuf Kalla was chased by the press on the way back to his car after attending ...