While it’s often performed as a stunt or gimmick nowadays, firewalking has been practised by Hindu devotees for thousands of years.
Originating in Tamil Nadu, India, Indians are believed to have first celebrated Theemithi or Thimithi more than 2,000 years ago.
As the name suggests, the ritual involves walking barefoot across a bed of burning charcoal.
The South Indian festival is also practised by South Indians in India, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, and other countries.
Here in Singapore, Sri Mariamman Temple, situated along South Bridge Road, has been the venue for Theemithi since 1840.
Devotees practise the fire-walking ritual in exchange for a wish or blessing granted by the goddess Draupadi.
This year, however, with COVID-19 running riot, certain precautions will have to be taken to avoid potential transmission of the coronavirus.
Only Vaccinated Devotees or Devotees with a Negative COVID-19 Test Result Allowed at This Year’s Fire-Walking Festival
Devotees looking to take part in this year’s Theemithi, must be fully vaccinated and or show a negative COVID-19 test result first.
What’s more, face masks must also be worn during all rituals.
As for offerings, only paalkudams (milk pots) and maavilakkus (rice flour lamps) provided by the temple will be allowed. Preparations made by devotees will not be permitted.
If you’re unvaccinated, you’ll need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 24 hours of the end of their event participation.
These safety measures were laid out by the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) yesterday.
Learn the importance of face masks here:
No Walk-ins Allowed, Must Register First
The annual event will be held at the Sri Mariamman Temple on 24 Oct, as it is every year.
Do note that, unlike previous years, no walk-ins will be allowed for any of the activities, even those who simply want to observe.
Registration for some of the earlier activities and rituals which begin on 1 Oct will open up at 10am tomorrow (24 Sep).
These activities include the offerings of paalkudams, as well as angapradakshanam – rolling one’s body on the ground in an act of reverence – and kumbiduthandam – prostrating after walking every three steps.
Devotees will only be allowed to go around the temple once via a designated pathway during the ritual.
If the COVID-19 situation doesn’t get out of hand, registration for the fire-walking ritual should also open in the second week of October. You can head here to book a slot.
While crossing the fire pit, devotees will not be permitted to carry any offerings such as garlands or other ceremonial objects.
The event will also be live-streamed, so if you’re only planning to observe, you could watch the festival at home if you wish.
Videos of the festival will also be uploaded to HEB’s YouTube and Facebook accounts as well after it’s concluded.
Understand the importance of vaccination:
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Featured Image: Jan Cejka/ shutterstock.com
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