Obon Festival, Japan

Floating lights lit on Obon festival in Japan

Obon is a religious Buddhist festival or tradition of Japan which held on the 15th day of the 7th Lunar month (i.e. on August). The time span of 13th to 15th August is called as Obon as per Japanese. It is the Buddhist custom and most significant for Japanese people. On this day, the people pray to God for their ancestors’ souls. They believe that on this day, their ancestors’ spirits arrive at their home to join up with their family members. Japanese celebrates this festival since more than 500 years and it is one of the most important festivals of Japan.

The three days traditional festive of Japan, Obon is also seems to be performed by Japanese communities residing at other countries; such as Argentina, China, Malaysia, Brazil, Canada and United States’. During the festival the traditional dance Bon-Odori also being performed by Japanese. Bon Odori or Bon dance is performed to greet the spirits of their ancestors. The dance was originated from Maha Maudgalyayana (Mokuren)’s story; who was a disciple of Lord Buddha and rescued her mother’s soul from realm of hungry ghost as per the advices of Lord Buddha. After releasing her mother’s spirit he danced with joy, which called as Bon Odori or Bon dance.

On the festive day of Obon, Japanese people used to clean their houses and offer variety of foods to their ancestor’s spirits. They used to lit lanterns and paper lights (floating lights) on the third / final day to release the souls of their ancestors; who they called to serve. Though it is a famous Buddhist festival but not a national holiday of Japan. However, people used to take leaves to celebrate Obon along with their family members.