1/ Every August, a spectacle of ritualistic firewalking is performed by Hindu descendants in Fiji, invoking Goddess Mahadevi 🙏
A thread on this curious ancient custom so fantastic that it defies any rational explanation!
@IndiaArtHistory
A thread on this curious ancient custom so fantastic that it defies any rational explanation!
@IndiaArtHistory
2/ The ritual is performed by descendants of Madras born Indians living in Fiji. After a 10 day purification period, spent in isolation and contemplation, firewalkers assemble at a stream for bathing and cleansing.
3/ The officiating priests wear ritual headgears- 'khalasam'- earthenware vessels, bottom of which fit like a cap, filled with water and a peeled coconut, and draped with leaves and branches.
Into the coconut is thrust a trident, with limes impaled on its prongs.
Into the coconut is thrust a trident, with limes impaled on its prongs.
4/ These 'khalasams' are balanced on the heads of the priest throughout the ceremony; if it dropped the ceremony comes to a halt, causing great misery to the firewalkers.
5/ The procession, accompanied by drummers and musicians, moves towards the temple where a burning heap of charcoal, set alight 12 hours prior, awaits them.
The charcoal is evenly spread in a 9" deep pit, 30ft long, and 10 ft wide.
The charcoal is evenly spread in a 9" deep pit, 30ft long, and 10 ft wide.
6/ The revered images of Mahadevi are brought outside from the temple, carried thrice around the pit by firewalkers, and placed in front of the temple 🙏
7/ The firewalkers, led by the priest, then walk, run, and stamp the length of the pit to prostrate themselves before the images of the Goddess.
Some of the spectators, in religious fervour, often join the firewalkers in doing the same.
Some of the spectators, in religious fervour, often join the firewalkers in doing the same.
8/ In temperatures up to 4000 F., the firewalkers' clothing doesn't get scorched, western scientists have failed to explain the immunity of these devout firewalkers from fire.
9/ The priests and believers maintain that it is their faith and purity, which the Goddess rewards and offering protection from fire during the ritual.
The locals swear by this belief, and spend their entire lives thus.
The locals swear by this belief, and spend their entire lives thus.
10/ As many scientific discoveries our species keeps on making, some phenomenon would always remain inexplicable.
This ancient custom in Fiji, is one such incredible example.
Thread ends.
This ancient custom in Fiji, is one such incredible example.
Thread ends.
