Visit Nara

Hasadera Temple’s Kannon Mantoe is held annually from New Year’s Eve to January 3. This festival finds lanterns being offered to Kannon Bosatsu, more familiarly known in the West as Quan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. In preparation for the turning of the year, the 399 steps leading to the main hall are decorated with lanterns to welcome visitors. At exactly midnight, a goma fire ceremony is held as an offering to the spirit of compassion. Goma sticks are provided to participants on which to write prayers before burning them in the fire.