People circle the fire brazier to sacrifice the fire and pray for blessings in a square of Otog Front Banner on Jan 21. [Photo/Xinhua]

A ceremony held to worship fire spirit involving livestock sacrifices and holy chants, attracted thousands of Mongolian ethnic people from China’s provinces to a square in Otog Front Banner, Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Jan 21.

As the 24th day of the 12th lunar month in Chinese calendar, Jan 21 marks a day of fire worshiping for the Mongolian ethnic group, during which people gather to light sacred fires, to consecrate animal sacrifices for the fire spirit, to chant traditional odes, and to pray for a favorable harvest and good fortune for the new year.