Monks mark Vesak Day at Borobudur

'It feels like coming home', pilgrim says

- PORAMET TANGSATHAPORN

Thirty-six Thai monks arrived at Borobudur Temple on Saturday, marking the culmination of a spiritual pilgrimage spanning over 2,500 kilometres on foot from Thailand to Indonesia in celebration of Vesak Day.

The monks were participants in International Thudong 2025, a Buddhist pilgrimage that began on Feb 6 at Sanam Luang in Bangkok.

Their journey took them across four countries — Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia — before concluding at the majestic Borobudur Temple, a Unesco World Heritage site and the world's largest Mahayana Buddhist temple, located in Central Java.

Supriyadi, director general of Buddhist Community Guidance at Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs, said this marks the third year of the International Thudong event, following its inaugural editions in 2023 and 2024.