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Bon or O-bon is a celebrated Buddhist festival held in the memory of the departed souls of one's ancestors. The festival brings together families during which people return to their homes from other places to cleanse the burial grounds of their ancestors. Celebrations of the Bon festival also include a traditional dance festival. The festival is celebrated in Osaka in Japan over five hundred years. It is observed from July 13 (August 13 according to the lunar calendar in many places) to the 15th in Kanto in the eastern part of Japan and in August in the western part. Of late O-bon is held in August in most parts of Tokyo and other parts in Japan. O-bon is an equivalent of the Sanskrit term Ullambana meaning "hanging upside down in hell and suffering". The people of Osaka in Japan celebrate the Bon festival in order to mitigate the pain of the "Urabanna". The origins of the festival can be traced in the story of Mokuren, a follower of Shakyamuni, who saw a dream of his dead mother amongst Hungry Ghosts where she flaunted her selfish vanity. Distressed he sought for a resolve to free his mother from this complex domain. He went to the Buddha asked for a solution. Buddha asked him to offer a gala feast on the 15 th of July for the past seven generations. He just did this and saw his mother being freed from the realm of the hungry ghosts. Now he could understand how selflessly his mother cared for him. The disciple danced with happiness. The Bon Dance was derived from this dance of joy. It is a time when the Japanese people pay homage to the sacrifices of their ancestors. Features of Bon Festival in Osaka : - The Bon festival is celebrated in Yodogawa Plant and Sakai Plant in Osaka since 1971.
- It is managed and celebrated in Osaka by the employees of Yodogawa Plant and Sakai Plant and the local people fostering amiable ties between them.
- The festival offers an insight into the culture and tradition of Japan.
- A small bonfire called Mukae-bi (welcoming flame) is illuminated at the entrance of the households to direct the ancestors back home safely. A Buddhist priest chant sutras before the Shoryodana or 'Shelf of Souls simultaneously.
- The indoors are lit up with lanterns.
- The family altar is cleaned. Vegetables and fruits are offered at the altar.
- Incense and flowers are offered at the family graves.
- A small bonfire called Okuri-bi (Send-off flame) marks the end of the festival.
- Paper lanterns are set afloat on the last evening of O-Bon to lead the spirits in their journey. This is called Toro Nagashi.
- A Bon Dance party is held in the evening and travelers are induced into participating in the folk performances.
Season of the Bon Festival in Osaka : The Bon festival is celebrated in August every year.
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