A fiery test of faith

Hundreds of loyal Hindu people walked across red, hot coals showing their strong devotion and connection to God.

The annual fire walking festival took place at the Shree Draupathiamman Temple in Sastri Circle, Tongaat last Saturday evening. Walking to the beat of the drums, thousands of people circled around a pit filled with burning coals.

The heat from the ground could be felt by people standing a few meters away in the large crowd.

But devotees in a trance state were not deterred as some walked, ran and even danced across the fire pit. Although the history is unknown the act is practiced around the globe as a rite of purification, healing, initiation and transcendence.

Fire worship and firewalking have been thought to nourish and warm the human spirit.

Tamil priest Keshyn Moodley said in the Hindu culture the firewalking festival is held in memory of the mother Draupadi who is the main character in the the epic Mahabharata scripture.

“In scripture the mother Draupadi walked across fire to prove her innocence and purity to Lord Krishna after she was almost raped. It is also a cleansing process.”

Moodley said the prayer for the firewalking festival lasts for about 18 days and is aimed to create a spiritual vibration within devotees.

“Many devotees give up pleasures like sexual intercourse and meat. The fast may involve sleeping on the floor and giving up snacks. Some even do a dry fast (no food or drink) as it gets closer to the festival.”

On the day of the festival some devotees carry a “garagum” which is a brass pot filled with prayer ingredients that are placed in a structure that is built from Sylinga leafs. The fire pit is prepared the night before the final day and kept red hot throughout the ritual.

It is believed that if they are truly devoted to Draupadi they will walk through the fire unharmed.

“The garagum symbolizes one of the mothers, Shakthi. The fire walking can be done for many different reasons related to ones personal connection with God. The reasons may vary from a thanksgiving to taking a vow.”

Before the firewalking starts, some of the devotees go into a trance while others walk by faith.

“During the trance, the body loses control and dances from the spiritual vibration that is created. We believe that the spirit is a god or an ancestor that enters the body.

“Different trances come during different prayers. The gods use your body as an outlet. The trance is triggered by prayer, religious music and concentration. It is during this trance state that people pierce their body with hooks that are either plain or carry a fruit.

“The forehead, tongue back, chest and across the cheeks are pierced. It is believed that because of the intense fast, there is no pain when the hooks are removed.

“If people carry their fast out properly, they also do not feel pain when they walk across the fire.”

After running the gauntlet devotees offer their prayers like carrying milk pots and rolling around the temple ground.

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