JAKARTA, Indonesia — May 29, 2026
The Indonesian capital was transformed by vibrant displays of light and color as residents and visitors gathered to experience the “Illumination of Jakarta: Glow of Peace” installation, a public celebration organized in conjunction with Vesak Day, one of the most important religious observances in Buddhism.
The decorative light exhibition, installed in prominent public spaces across Jakarta, attracted large crowds who walked through illuminated pathways and artistic displays designed to symbolize peace, harmony, and spiritual reflection. Families, tourists, and worshippers paused to take photographs and admire the visual spectacle as the city joined Buddhist communities around the world in marking the sacred occasion.
Vesak, known locally in Indonesia as Waisak, commemorates the three most significant events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism: his birth, enlightenment, and passing into Parinirvana. The annual observance serves as a time of prayer, meditation, charitable acts, and reflection on Buddhist teachings centered on compassion, wisdom, and nonviolence.
Indonesia is home to one of the world's largest Buddhist populations outside East Asia, and Vesak celebrations are observed throughout the archipelago.
The country's most prominent ceremonies traditionally take place at Borobudur Temple, the world's largest Buddhist monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site, where thousands of monks and devotees gather for religious rituals and processions.
In Jakarta, the “Glow of Peace” installation provided a contemporary expression of the holiday's spiritual message, blending public art with cultural celebration.
Organizers said the exhibition was intended to encourage unity and mutual understanding among Indonesia's diverse religious communities while offering residents an opportunity to engage with the values associated with Vesak.
As evening fell, the illuminated displays created a striking backdrop against the city's skyline, drawing visitors from across the capital. The event reflected Indonesia's multicultural character and highlighted the continuing significance of Vesak as a moment of reflection, peace, and communal harmony.
Photo: Dwi Prasetya / JNA Press.