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Thousands of Buddhists from all across the country and tourists are expected to join the 2,561st Vesak Day celebration at the Borobudur Temple, Central Java, on May 11, 2017.
As in previous years, this year celebration will also be marked by the release of thousands lanterns at Borobudur temple and its surroundings asthepeak of Vesak rituals.
"Starting at 04.00 a.m., Borobudur Temple will only be accessible by worshippers. At 12 p.m., other visitors may enter to see the lantern festival. The event will be held at Gunadharma Field at 11.30 p.m. to 01.00 a.m.," explained President Director of PT Taman Wisata Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratu Boko Temple, Edy Setijono.
Edy continued, the lanterns are planned to be released on May 10. Since May 11 falls on Thursday, Edy also0 suggested visitors to take a5-day vacation (May 10 to 14) by taking 2 days of leave on May 10 and 12.
Multicultural Department of Tourism Ministry Expert Staff Hary Untoro Djarat hoped that the event will lure foreign tourists who are visiting Joglosemar (Jogja, Solo, Semarang) which are included in Indonesia's ten priority destinations.
"The target is 600 percent higher than in 2014 when around 300,000 tourists visited Borobudur Temple that year. The central government, regional governments and local communities must work together (to achieve this)," he concluded.
(brl/red)
