Todaiji Temple lit up with torches in annual rite

Todaiji Temple lit up with torches in annual rite

NARA, Japan - Nigatsudo Hall at Todaiji Temple in Nara is lit up with torches as part of the annual ''omizutori'' (water drawing) rite on March 12. The rite symbolizes the arrival of spring. Shuni-e, or the ceremony of the second month, as omizutori is formally known, has been performed without interruption since 752 A.D., the year the Great Buddha at Todaiji was cast.

Big Pine torches ablaze at Todaiji as herald to spring

Big Pine torches ablaze at Todaiji as herald to spring

NARA, Japan - Big Pine torches are ablaze outside the Nigatsu-do of Todaiji temple in Nara on March 1, the start of the Omizutori (taking sacred water) ceremony heralding the arrival of spring in Japan's ancient capital. Shuni-e, or ceremony of the second month, as Omizutori is formally known, has been performed without interruption since 752 A.D., the year when the Great Buddha in Todaiji was built. Nigatsu-do is home to the eleven-headed Kannon, the symbol for the nation's prosperity and world peace.

Todaiji Temple lit up with torches in annual rite

Todaiji Temple lit up with torches in annual rite

NARA, Japan - Nigatsudo Hall at Todaiji Temple in Nara is lit up with torches as part of the annual ''omizutori'' (water drawing) rite on March 12. The rite symbolizes the arrival of spring. Shuni-e, or the ceremony of the second month, as omizutori is formally known, has been performed without interruption since 752 A.D., the year the Great Buddha at Todaiji was cast. (Kyodo)

Big Pine torches ablaze at Todaiji as herald to spring

Big Pine torches ablaze at Todaiji as herald to spring

NARA, Japan - Big Pine torches are ablaze outside the Nigatsu-do of Todaiji temple in Nara on March 1, the start of the Omizutori (taking sacred water) ceremony heralding the arrival of spring in Japan's ancient capital. Shuni-e, or ceremony of the second month, as Omizutori is formally known, has been performed without interruption since 752 A.D., the year when the Great Buddha in Todaiji was built. Nigatsu-do is home to the eleven-headed Kannon, the symbol for the nation's prosperity and world peace. (Kyodo)

Torchlight rite held at Nara's Todaiji Temple

Torchlight rite held at Nara's Todaiji Temple

NARA, Japan - A toarchlight rite, the highlight of the annual ''Shuni-e'' or ''Omizutori'' (water-drawing) ceremony takes place at the Nigatsudo Hall of the Buddhist temple Todaiji in the ancient capital Nara, western Japan, on March 12. Some 20,000 people gathered in the night to see the rite, said to date from 752.