Waicak

Yogyakarta has always been famous for numerous reasons. Not only is there innumerable tourist destinations there are many celebrations and festivals that are crowd pullers as well. However there are numerous festivals and events celebrated in and around Yogyakarta. Any visitor should make it a point to visit Yogyakarta during any of the festivals so that they come to know the traditions, the culture and also the religion of the people. One such important festival dotting the calendar is Waicak.

Waicak is a very important festival celebrated with much aplomb and gaiety. This event is very popular and people in Yogyakarta look forward to this event in great anticipation. This event gives people the opportunity to come together and celebrate the Event with great mirth.

Particularities of the Waicak Event:

Buddhism is considered to be one of the main religions in the land of Yogyakarta. So there are innumerable festivals that center around the Lord Buddha. This particular festival is also one of them. The event is actually celebrated on the auspicious occasion of Buddha's birthday and death. The religious occasion flags off with a procession starting from the Mendut Temple. This temple is located about 35 kilometers northwest of Yogyakarta.

The event sees a Buddha statue and a Miniature stupa are an integral part in the procession and is dressed in the yellow robes and members of the Buddhist community carry flowers and candles. However the occasion starts on the night of a full moon and that is when the ceremony actually starts. This actually consists of the birth of Buddha and continues right till the moment when he attained spirituality while sitting under the Uruvela forest and finally ends with his attaining Nirvana. The Waicak is held at the Marangjati Vihara. People from all over the World gather here to witness the auspicious occasion of the Waicak. People wait for the event only to pay homage to the lord Buddha. The event is particularly important for all Buddhist monks who wait to celebrate this event. All those taking part in the event come here with candles and a bundle of flowers. All gather around the fire which is believed to be very holy.

Waicak festival is an important festival and thus all those interested in paying homage to the Lord can participate in the auspicious festival!