The Nigatsudo Hall of Todaiji Temple in Nara is famous for the annual shuni-e ceremony. In this set of rituals, the monks reflect on the destructive behavior that they and others engage in their daily lives and pray to Kannon bodhisattva whom the hall is dedicated to for everyone's happiness. The shuni-e ceremony is particularly famous for the omizutori or Water Ceremony where sacred water is taken from a well and offered to Kannon. The Nigatsudo Hall has been designated a national treasure and features two statues of the eleven-faced Kannon, which are secret Buddha statues that are not shown to the public. The name Nigatsudo literally means Hall of the second month and refers to the shuni-e ceremony which is traditionally held in the second month of the lunar calendar.

Photograph provided by Nara City Tourism Association