Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

A pine torch about eight meters long is hung at World Heritage-listed Todaiji Temple's Nigatsu-do hall in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2025, for an annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

A pine torch about eight meters long is hung at World Heritage-listed Todaiji Temple's Nigatsu-do hall in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2025, for an annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

An annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, dating back to 752, is held at Todai-ji temple's Nigatsudo hall in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2025.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

An annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, dating back to 752, is held at Todai-ji temple's Nigatsudo hall in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2025.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

An annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, dating back to 752, is held at Todai-ji temple's Nigatsudo hall in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2025.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, is held at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, is held at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, is held at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, is held at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, is held at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 12, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, begins at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, begins at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2024.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, begins at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2024.

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken on March 12, 2023, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken on March 12, 2023, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken on March 12, 2023, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken on March 12, 2023, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken on March 12, 2023, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, begins at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2023.

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

Annual fire festival at Todai-ji temple

The annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony, which dates back to 752, begins at the Nigatsudo hall of Todai-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2023.

Todaiji festival

Todaiji festival

NARA, Japan - Photo with 2-minute exposure shows the bearer of a giant torch leading a group of Buddhist monks passing the outer corridors of Nigatsudo hall at Todaiji temple in Nara on March 12, 2012, as part of the temple's Omizutori festival.

Todaiji festival

Todaiji festival

NARA, Japan - Sparks fall from a giant torch held by a bearer leading a group of Buddhist monks passing the outer corridors of Nigatsudo hall at Todaiji temple in Nara on March 12, 2012, as part of the temple's Omizutori festival.

Todaiji festival

Todaiji festival

NARA, Japan - Photo with 15-second exposure shows torchbearers running in the outer corridors of Nigatsudo hall at Todaiji in Nara on March 1, 2012, during the temple's Omizutori festival.

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival in Nara on March 12, 2010. An 8-meter-long, 70-kilogram torch was moved around in the climax to the festival that heralds the spring in the ancient Japanese city.

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

NARA, Japan - Tourists admire a shower of sparks near the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, during the traditional Omizutori festival in Nara on March 12, 2010. The event was a herald of spring in the ancient Japanese city.

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival in Nara on March 12, 2010. An 8-meter-long, 70-kilogram torch was moved around in the climax to the festival that heralds the spring in the ancient Japanese city.

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji Temple in the Japanese ancient city of Nara ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival on March 12. Buddhist priests moved around on the hall's stage holding together an 8-meter-long, 60-kilogram torch in the climax to the festival said to herald the spring.

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji Temple in the Japanese ancient city of Nara ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival on March 12. Buddhist priests moved around on the hall's stage holding together an 8-meter-long, 60-kilogram torch in the climax to the festival said to herald the spring.

Annual fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Annual fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken March 12, 2021, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Annual fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Annual fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken March 12, 2021, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Annual fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Annual fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken March 12, 2021, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Annual fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Annual fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken March 12, 2021, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Annual fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Annual fire festival at Todaiji-temple

Photo taken March 12, 2021, shows the annual "omizutori" water-drawing fire ceremony at the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji-temple in Nara, western Japan.

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji Temple in the Japanese ancient city of Nara ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival on March 12. Buddhist priests moved around on the hall's stage holding together an 8-meter-long, 60-kilogram torch in the climax to the festival said to herald the spring. (Kyodo)

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji Temple in the Japanese ancient city of Nara ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival on March 12. Buddhist priests moved around on the hall's stage holding together an 8-meter-long, 60-kilogram torch in the climax to the festival said to herald the spring. (Kyodo)

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival in Nara on March 12, 2010. An 8-meter-long, 70-kilogram torch was moved around in the climax to the festival that heralds the spring in the ancient Japanese city. (Kyodo)

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

NARA, Japan - Tourists admire a shower of sparks near the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, during the traditional Omizutori festival in Nara on March 12, 2010. The event was a herald of spring in the ancient Japanese city. (Kyodo)

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival in Nara on March 12, 2010. An 8-meter-long, 70-kilogram torch was moved around in the climax to the festival that heralds the spring in the ancient Japanese city. (Kyodo)

Todaiji festival

Todaiji festival

NARA, Japan - Sparks fall from a giant torch held by a bearer leading a group of Buddhist monks passing the outer corridors of Nigatsudo hall at Todaiji temple in Nara on March 12, 2012, as part of the temple's Omizutori festival. (Kyodo)

Todaiji festival

Todaiji festival

NARA, Japan - Photo with 2-minute exposure shows the bearer of a giant torch leading a group of Buddhist monks passing the outer corridors of Nigatsudo hall at Todaiji temple in Nara on March 12, 2012, as part of the temple's Omizutori festival. (Kyodo)

Todaiji festival

Todaiji festival

NARA, Japan - Photo with 15-second exposure shows torchbearers running in the outer corridors of Nigatsudo hall at Todaiji in Nara on March 1, 2012, during the temple's Omizutori festival. (Kyodo)

Annual fire festival in Nara

Annual fire festival in Nara

Photo shows a scene from the Omizutori annual festival at the Nigatsudo building of Todaiji Temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Annual fire festival in Nara

Annual fire festival in Nara

Photo shows a scene from the Omizutori annual festival at the Nigatsudo building of Todaiji Temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Annual fire festival in Nara

Annual fire festival in Nara

Photo shows a scene from the Omizutori annual festival at the Nigatsudo building of Todaiji Temple in Nara, western Japan, on March 1, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo