On August 9, 2024, the "Sennichimairi," a pilgrimage where one day's worship is equivalent to a thousand days' worth of merit, began at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a World Heritage site in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City. In a solemn atmosphere, worshippers offered candles and quietly put their hands together before the principal image.
According to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the Sennichimairi is thought to have begun in the late Muromachi period, and worship by the general public became established during the Edo period. It fell out of fashion during the Meiji period, but was revived in 1993. On this day, the temperature exceeded 30 degrees at 9 a.m., but many worshippers came from the morning. In the dimly lit inner sanctuary of the main hall, they offered candles to the principal image, the secret statue of the eleven-faced thousand-armed Kannon, and held the rope that connects them to the principal image.
Until August 16. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nighttime viewing is also available from August 14 to 16.
