Nara (Nara-ken) - Mantoro Lantern Lighting - 14-15 August

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Mantoro Lantern Lighting is a Shinto ritual held at Kasuga Taisha Shrine twice a year: on February 3 (Setsubun), and on August 14 and 15 (Chugen). When evening approaches, 2,000 stone lanterns standing along the approach to the Shrine and 1,000 hanging bronze lanterns are lit. Hanging lanterns shinning brightly make the red-painted main hall visible through the dark, and the stone lanterns dimlylight up the trees along the approach.

source : http://www.hpcc.jp/pfldnet2006/aboutnara.html

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