Jan 13, 2018, 01.01 PM IST
All for a 'pure soul'
The cold water endurance festival in Japan is celebrated annually by Shintoism followers. Pouring cold water on their bodies is believed to purify their souls.
Reuters
Prayers for a good fortune
The coming of age purification ritual is a part of the two-day festival held annually at Kanda Myojin Shrine each January to honour and pay homage to Daikoku, the deity of fortune.
Getty Images
A ritual for all
Parishioners also take part in the annual event every year. They too gather at the shrine to take part in the water and other rituals associated with the two-day festival.
In Pic: A half-naked shrine parishioner using wooden tub throws cold water on themselves during an annual cold-endurance festival at the Kanda Myojin Shinto shrine in Tokyo.
AP
Queuing up for prayers
Followers also offer their prayers together, as they stand in queues in front of Tokyo's Kanda Myojin Shinto shrine.
Getty Images
Women endure too
Women also take part in the festival and perform the purification ritual at the Tokyo shrine.
AP
For young & old alike
Although primarily for 20 year-olds, the ceremony is now undertaken by people of all ages who pour ice-cold water over themselves in pool of water and ice blocks to purify themselves to traditional Japanese music.
Getty Images
Braving the cold
A man splashes himself with cold water during the annual cold water endurance ceremony, to purify his soul and wish for good fortune in the new year, at the Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo.
Reuters
No comments:
Post a Comment