A grand spring festival was held at Kannon-in Temple in Ibara City, Okayama Prefecture to pray for good health, and many worshipers came from inside and outside the prefecture.
Kannon-in Temple in Oe-cho, Ibara City is said to have been opened during the Nara period, and is managed and operated by 29 local households.
It is said to have health benefits, and a large festival is held every year on the midday of the equinox in spring and autumn, inviting the chief priest of a nearby temple of the same sect.
This year's spring festival was held in a chilly climate with rain mixed with snow, but worshipers from inside and outside the prefecture placed their hands together at the 11-meter-tall Kannon statue and prayed for good health and long life. I was there.
A 79-year-old man from Kurashiki City said, ``I've been here for the first time in 20 years.I hope to receive the blessings here and work hard for another 10 years.''
Masao Sakiya, a representative of the residents who run Kannon-in Temple, said, ``We hope that you will come and visit us so that you can lead a healthy life.''