Buddhika Weerasinghe: Mitsuyama Taisai Festival Begins

The main feature of the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival, three 18 meters tall 'mountains.' are displayed at the Itate Hyozu Shrine on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of the Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country from the top of 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days starting today, praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Shrine priests bathe in sea water before attending a ritual during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival at the Itate Hyozu Shrine in Shirahama on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of the Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country from the top of 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days starting today, praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A pedestrian walks in front of the main feature of the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival, three 18 meters tall 'mountains.' are displayed at the Itate Hyozu Shrine on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of the Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country from the top of 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days starting today, praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Young girls wear traditional costumes to take a part in the Ochiogosan parade during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine at Shirahama on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of the Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country from the top of 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days starting today, praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Young girl wears traditional costumes to take a part in the Ochiogosan parade during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine at Shirahama on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of the Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country from the top of 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days starting today, praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Shrine priests pray whiile bathing in sea water before attending a ritual during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival at the Itate Hyozu Shrine in Shirahama on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of the Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country from the top of 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days starting today, praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A pedestrian stands front of the main feature of the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival, three 18 meters tall 'mountains.' are displayed at the Itate Hyozu Shrine on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of the Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country from the top of 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days starting today, praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Shrine priests walk in front of the main feature of the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival, three 18 meters tall 'mountains.' displayed at the Itate Hyozu Shrine on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of the Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country from the top of 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days starting today, praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Shrine priests pray to invite all the gods in front of the main feature of the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival, three 18 meters tall 'mountains.' displayed at the Itate Hyozu Shrine on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of the Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country from the top of 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days starting today, praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Shrine priests walk out from the main feature of the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival, three 18 meters tall 'mountains.' displayed at the Itate Hyozu Shrine on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of the Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country from the top of 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days starting today, praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)