Last evening, it was my first time that I actually saw the firewalking festival at South Bridge Rd. Well, I was only there at the start of the event, but seeing the flame and the people who came and participated was pretty interesting.
Just in case, you do not know anything about firewalking, I’ve found the background from Wikipedia.
Background
The Thimithi (also spelt “Theemidhi” and Theemithi) or Fire-walking ceremony is a Hindu festival originating in South India that is celebrated during the month of Aipasi (or Aippasi) of the Tamil Calendar. This occurs between the Gregorian calendar months of October and November. The fire-walking ceremony is in honour of Draupadi, who is considered the incarnation of Mariamman, and is practiced not only in India, but also in Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa and other countries with large South Indian populations.
In Singapore, the celebrations begin at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road around 2 a.m. and the priest leads the grand procession of people through the streets to Sri Mariamman Temple in South Bridge Road where the actual thimithi takes place. The priest starts the thimithi by walking through the pit filled with hot burning coals with the Karagam (sacred water filled pot) on his head. He is followed by male devotees intent on fulfilling their personal promises and proving their faith. The devotees may include a minority of non-Indians and non-Hindus.
Related posts:
