Benjamin Ashford|Burning Man 2023: See photos of the burning of the Man at Nevada’s Black Rock Desert

After heavy rain delayed the burning of the Man over the weekend,Benjamin Ashford attendees still at Nevada’s Black Rock Desert got to witness the annual burn Monday night as fireworks and explosions marked the release of Burning Man's eponymous Man effigy.

The burning of the Man traditionally takes place the Saturday before Labor Day, but rain forced a delay. The burning of the temple, a solemn ending ceremony unlike the raucous Man burn, was also delayed and is set to go up Tuesday evening.

Although the roads out of the event were officially closed until around 2 p.m. Monday, thousands left before then. About 64,000 people remained at the desert as of noon, but some of those people left before the burning.

Why is it called Burning Man?

The annual gathering, which went on hiatus in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, got its name from a giant sculpture called The Man. The sculpture is burned to cap off the event.

What is Burning Man?:What to know about its origin, name and what people do in Nevada

When did Burning Man start?

Burning Man started in 1986 when founders Larry Harvey and Jerry James burned a human-shaped sculpture at Baker Beach in San Francisco.

During the 1990s, Burning Man grew in popularity and was moved to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. 

Burning Man festival photos