One of Burning Man's most well-known attractions, the 'Orgy Dome', has been destroyed by an intense dust storm.
The annual summer festival is a week-long, 24-hour gathering in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.
It all started back in 1986 on San Francisco’s Baker Beach, when founders Larry Harvey and Jerry James burned a wooden effigy. Since the 90s, however, the ritual moved to Nevada’s desert, with about 70,000 people attending each year.
Today, Burning Man festival is a week-long music and art festival that takes place at a pop-up venue known as Black Rock City in the Nevada desert every year, attracting between 70,000 and 80,000 people to the temporary city annually. The festival does not have billed headliners, but instead focuses on 'community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance'.
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It is known for burning a large wooden effigy of a man on the closing 'Labor Day' weekend, which is said to be a symbol of creativity and rebirth.
Unconfirmed reports also suggest that the likes of Jeff Bezos, Will Smith, and Elon Musk have been to Burning Man in the past.
What is the Burning Man ‘Orgy Dome’?
Well, it's what it says on the tin.
The notorious 'Orgy Dome', founded in 2003, is where festival-goers can have consensual sex with two or more people. Organisers say the Orgy Dome is where single people or swingers can experience a 'safe, consensual, sex-positive, inclusionary and exploratory environment'.
"You are responsible for getting verbal consent before engaging," the website states about Orgy Dome.
As one festival-goer added: "Verbal consent is necessary to begin play with other groups and to introduce new activities."
Inside, the air-conditioned private tent includes mattresses, drapes, and comfortable couches, as well as several pillows for guests to enjoy as they get it on with one another.
Attendees are urged to be careful though after a man allegedly broke his penis in the tent in 2021.
Dust storm temporarily halts Burning Man 2025
This year's festival, which kicked off on Sunday (24 August), was put on hold following severe weather conditions in the area, with 50 miles per hour and localised flooding.
This sadly resulted in the infamous 'Orgy Dome' being destroyed.
On the day of the event, organisers said the dome was damaged 'beyond repair', and warned: "Our structure was destroyed by the winds yesterday.
"The Gate into and out of Black Rock City is currently closed. Rain is coming down, thunderstorms are present, and strong winds may follow.
"If you are in Black Rock City: Keep an eye out for lightning, take care of your camps, and stay safe. The playa is too wet to drive. Do not drive. Do not travel to BRC at this time."
Will the ‘Orgy Dome’ be rebuilt?
The Burning Man team say they are working hard to rebuild the structure in a recent post, with them asking for some extra supplies.
"Orgy dome could use: eight ends 2 with zippers need points, 718 × 30 walls, ball bungees, 18 x 3015/8 pipe," they said.
"Our build team worked so hard this past week to *erect* our lovely space," the team added. "Unfortunately, the winds yesterday undid all that labor and wrecked our structure.
"We are still here and thankfully safe, we hope to gift the playa some workshops and will keep you updated."
Topics: US News, Sex and Relationships, Dating trends
Anish Vij