Omizutori Fire Festival

Omizutori is an event held every year between the 1st to the 14th of March or the second month of the lunar calendar and is a series of ceremonies of repentance at the Todaiji Temple. The 1,250-year-old tradition is known to be one of the oldest Buddhist recurring events. It involves lighting large numbers of torches and hanging them from the balcony that runs along all sides of the temple, creating rigorous strips of fire on the sides of the temples. People attend this ceremony to cleanse themselves of sins, and look forward to spring and a fresh start when all of the cherry blossoms emerge. It is believed that if you are showered with one of the fire sparks from the torches, it is good luck and you will be protected from evil.