A Buddhist temple in Kyoto cooked thousands of daikon Tuesday and Wednesday in an annual ceremony to pray for good health and served the radish simmered to an estimated 15,000 visitors.

Getting back to their roots: Workers cook daikon Tuesday at Daihoonji Temple in Kyoto in an annual ceremony to pray for good health. KYODO PHOTO

At Daihoonji Temple, better known as Senbon Shakado, temple workers prepared about 5,000 daikon in big pans engraved with Sanskrit messages to ward off evil spirits, together with "konbu" seaweed and deep-fried tofu.

Bowls were served for ¥1,000.

"I have come (to the event) for more than 10 years, praying for good health and no disasters. It tastes good, which hasn't changed," said Noriko Fujioka, a 62-year-old kimono tailor from Kyoto.

The temple was originally constructed in 1227 and is known for its main hall, which has survived hundreds of years and is designated by the government as a national treasure.