Society

Purification ritual held in Takayama's icy waters

OSAKA, Dec 31 (News On Japan) - In a traditional display of spiritual cleansing and prayer for the coming year, the annual 'Misogi Ritual' was held on Saturday in Takayama City, where twenty-three brave souls immersed themselves in the frigid waters of the Arajo River.

The ritual takes place every year on December 30 at Adayuta Shrine.

With water temperatures plunging to a mere 6°C, participants chanted "Purify and cleanse us," symbolically washing away the sins and impurities of the past year and welcoming the new one.

by Brian Dentry

Source: ANNnewsCH

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