Stay logged in to proceed with bookings, orders and offers.
On changing the terminal, you will loose items in your cart. Are you sure you want to change your terminal?
Delve into the spiritual and cultural customs of the ancient fire-walking festival of India.
During my visit to Tamil Nadu, I had the incredible opportunity to witness something utterly unfamiliar when I attended a fire walking event in Chengalpattu. While I had heard about the Anastenaria fire walking ritual in Greece, little did I know that India had its own mesmerising fire walking festival, and the prospect of observing this sacred ritual was enough to pique my curiosity. As I approached the glowing embers and witnessed devotees gracefully walking across the fiery path, I couldn't help but be captivated by the sheer bravery and spiritual significance of the moment.
Thimithi is a South Indian festival that takes place one week before Diwali. It occurs in the month of Aippasi, according to the Tamil calendar, typically falling between October and November. It revolves around the captivating practice of walking barefoot over scorching embers or stones. I learned from the local elders about one of the most popular stories associated with this tradition. It centres around Draupadi, a pivotal character in the great Indian epic, Mahabharata. The story unfolds with the Pandava brothers facing a devastating loss in a gambling match against the Kauravas, resulting in them losing everything, including their beloved wife, Draupadi. Adding insult to injury, Draupadi is dragged to the court by Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kaurava brothers, where an appalling attempt is made to disrobe her. However, in a moment of divine intervention, Lord Krishna comes to Draupadi's rescue, preventing the disgraceful act and setting in motion a chain of events that fuel vows of vengeance and ultimately lead to the monumental thirteen-year-long battle of the Mahabharata.
Eventually, Draupadi's vow is fulfilled. But at the war's end, she has to undergo a test to prove her purity and fidelity. As a part of this, she walks on a bed of burning embers. If she emerged unscathed, she would be deemed virtuous. Draupadi does emerge unharmed—fresh as a flower. The festival of Thimithi was founded to commemorate this event and celebrate her triumph. The locals told me that Draupadi holds a revered position as Draupadi Amman. In some regions of Tamil Nadu, she is worshipped as an incarnation of Mariamman. She is a pre-Vedic goddess who is also regarded as an embodiment of Goddess Kali. In this region, Mariamman is believed to be the creator of villages and the guardian of the village boundaries. It is truly fascinating how these ancient beliefs have shaped the local culture and religious practices.
The prospect of walking over fire initially struck me as incredibly intense. But I learnt that the festival holds profound significance for the locals. It serves as a platform for devotees to express, reaffirm, and even test their beliefs openly. Walking on fire is regarded as a symbolic gesture with deep spiritual connotations. The locals believe that by walking on the scorching embers with slow and steady steps, one can be liberated from misfortunes and ill health. They're driven by gratitude for overcoming their challenges and fulfilling long-held aspirations. Fire-walking is believed to extend its protective shield to the individual participant and the entire village.
It is fascinating to witness devotees engaging in this act. I witnessed Thimithi at the Pulikunnu Shree Kanni Amman Kovil temple in the quaint village of Manappakkam, Chengalpattu. Here, there was a 2.7 meter fire pit meticulously excavated within the temple premises. At the end of the pit, a smaller hole awaited the offering of milk. As the surrounding lights dimmed, I focused solely on the glowing coal. In hushed anticipation, the crowd and I stood in silence, mesmerised. The barefoot fire walkers fearlessly rushed onto the scorching embers. As the rhythmic beats of drums resonated in my ears, the entire village became immersed in the moment. To my surprise, the fire walkers displayed a remarkable absence of pain or discomfort. Instead, they exuded an aura of tranquillity.
Following the fire walk, the devotees cooled their feet in a pit filled with cow's milk. Finally, the sacred milk and water from the temple's firehose were used to extinguish the fire pit. This symbolised the culmination of the profound ritual. The festival's conclusion arrived two days after Thimithi, marked by the solemn reading of the final chapter of the Mahabharata. The experience of witnessing the ritual left an indelible mark on my heart. The strength and determination exhibited by the devotees as they fearlessly traversed the fire left me in awe. The Thimithi ritual showcases the human spirit's remarkable resilience. It is a reminder of the collective strength that arises when communities come together to celebrate their heritage and honour the stories that have shaped their identities.
The Adani One expressly disclaims all liability, direct and indirect, in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this Blog. The Blog is an opinion of the contributor based on the collation of data from various sources and is provided only for information purpose. Adani One does not canvass, advertise, solicit, invite or induct for any product, merchandise, information, brand or any other materials mentioned in the Blog, nor does it obtain any monetary benefit from the same. Reader is advised to read and apply his/her intellect and discretion in this regard. Any Intellectual Property mentioned in this blog belongs to the rightful owner. We do not intent to claim any interest over the same.
