Firewalking Festival in Singapore 2015
Time and date: 30. October 2015 - 01.November 2015
After the Navarathri Festival here comes an another significant event.
Firewalking Ceremony, the Theemithi is celebrated in the honour of Draupadi-, a main character of Mahabharata.
"The theemithi festival is celebrated in honour of Draupadi, the main character of the epic Mahabharata, who is the wife of the five Pandava brothers. In a gambling session with their cousin Duryodhana, the Pandava brothers lost their home, country and even their wife.
Not satisfied with his victory, Duryodhana wanted to further disgrace the brothers. He requested his younger brother Dushasana strip Draupadi in front of the court. However, she was saved by Krishna and at that moment, Draupadi took a vow to only comb her hair after smearing Dushasana's blood on it and using his femur as a comb. The great Mahabharata war took place to fulfil her vow. After the war, to prove her purity she walked through a bed of fire and came out as fresh as a flower. The festival is celebrated to commemorate this event."
The participants take their 5 km walk from the Sri Srinivanasa Perumal Temple (Serangoon road, Little India) to the Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown, where the fire walking ceremony takes place. The chief priest starts the ritual by crossing the fire pit first while balancing a decorated pot (Karagam) on his head.
Events during the festival:
- Silver Chariot procession of Sri Mariamman (Stopping points in 2015 see here!)
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| Sri Mariamman Silver chariot at Buddha Tooth Relic Temple picture's source: HEB fb site |
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| Prayers for Sri Mariamman picture's source: HEB fb site |
- Aravan puja. Sri Aravan's shrine has been renewed in the temple recently, he is the patron saints of the transgender community(Hijra) in South-East Asia.
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| Sri Aravan's Shrine |
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| Those who encourage the devotees by their music! |
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| The moment when the chariot reaches the Mariamman Temple |
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| Devotees are getting ready for their walk |
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| Only men are allowed to take part in the procession and advised to wear yellow or saffron-coloured dresses. |
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Isn't it unbelievable that they come out of the coal-bed without any injuries?!?
..an earlier post about Sri Mariamman Temple from 2014:
Singapore's oldest Hindu temple was built in 1827 and wears the Dravidian architecture's characteristics. Located in China Town at South Bridge Road, the temple played a very important role in the Hindu people's life. It gave shelter to the immigrants and it was the first, where the priest had the right to solemnise Hindu marriages.
The temple dedicated to Sri Mariamman, the goddess of rain who cures diseases.
The inspiration for the style of this building given by the historical Sri Meenakshi Temple one of the largest temple complexes in Tamil Nadu, Madurai.
The main feature of the temple is its Gopuram (monumental tower) which is situated at the entrance of the South Bridge Road. The six-tiered gopuram decorated with Hindu deities, supported by Lord Murugan on its right side and Krshna on the left side.
The most significant Hindu festival, the fire walking ceremony takes place here annually around October end, beginning of November. Male devotees can prove their faith by walking trough a pit filled with hot burning coal.
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| The main entrance from the South Bridge Road |
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| The main and side walls are decorated with cow sculptures |
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| Ganesh |
Theemithi
A very good coverage. Thumbs up! As a participant, my advise to Tourists who wish to witness Firewalking. During the firewalking day, Tourists can't enter by the front entrance. They should enter through the side entrance at Pagoda Street. Though it will be crowded, some how they can move closer to firepit slowly, patiently and see it for themselves Live!
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