Seven groups of women participated in the festival. It is said that the devil is removed through this festival. Apart from this, the participants pray for well-being. Although it is called ‘naked festival’; No women were naked in it.
Women participating in the festival wore “happy courts” and shorts, which are usually worn in Japanese festivals. Men on the other hand wore loincloths, which is usually worn by sumo wrestlers.
A 59-year-old female participant cheered, “I heard women can also participate. So, I wanted to join it to bring joy and cheer to the city.”
Naruhito Sundoya, a monk of that Upasanaloya, said that women were never banned in this festival. Many women even came and prayed in person. But last year an organization of women wanted to know if they could join it as a group or not. It was then informed that they could.
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