Thimithi: The fire walking ceremony of Tamil Nadu
Have you ever seen anyone walking on fire? Well, in movies or TV serials maybe. But some people can bravely walk on fire in reality! Yes, during the Thimithi festival, also known as the fire walking festival, people walk on coal pits to honour Draupadi, the wife of the five Pandavas from Mahabharata. Thimithi is an annual festival held between October and November, in Tamil Nadu. It is also observed with great zeal and enthusiasm in countries where Tamilians are in significant numbers, such as Fiji, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia. Let’s know more about the history of this unique festival.
How is it celebrated?
Thimithi is the culmination of a two-and-a-half-month ceremony, during which scenes of battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas are re-enacted by locals. Months before the event, celebrations begin. Devotees follow a strict vegetarian diet and participate in large prayer sessions. One week before Diwali, a flag depicting Arjuna and the God Hanuman is hoisted on the Sri Mariamman Temple which marks the start of festivities. Every night until two days after Thimithi, the Mahabharata is recited. On the day of Thimithi, a 2.7 metre fire pit is excavated near the temple. Then, the pit is ignited with sandalwood pieces as the prayers are chanted. All the lights in the area are turned off before the devotees start walking on fire. The only thing visible is the burning coal. Turmeric and neem leaves are tied around the wrists of the fire walkers. The ritual begins with the chief priest walking across the fire pit while carrying a sacred pot known as ‘Karakam’ on his head. Devotees follow him barefoot, with their eyes closed, showing no discomfort or pain. Even as a bystander, you will undoubtedly feel a surge of emotion and divinity while watching the fire walkers. On the last day, the final chapter of the Mahabharata is read, and the festival concludes with the flag being lowered.
What does science say about Thimithi?
Now, you must be wondering how people walk on hot embers without getting burnt. Well, the answer is rooted in science, not magic. Since embers are poor heat conductors, less heat is transferred to the feet. Another reason is that the feet touch the coal for a very minimal time period. This amount of time is insufficient for coal to burn feet.
What’s the story behind the festival?
Thimithi is devoted to Draupadi, one of the main protagonists of our epic Mahabharata. You might have heard of how Mahabharata started. When the Pandavas lost their wife Draupadi in a gambling game, she was about to be stripped naked but was saved by Lord Krishna. An enraged Draupadi swore to only wash her hair with Duryodhana’s blood, the eldest Kaurava. Finally, after a 13-year war, the Pandavas emerged victorious, and Draupadi washed her hair with Duryodhana’s blood. This victory culminated in her walking on fire barefoot to demonstrate her virtuosity and purity, emerging unscathed.
Tamilians perform this act of walking on fire as a form of repentance to Draupadi. She is believed to be a reincarnation of the Tamil deity Mariamman. Thus, devotees believe that if you walk slowly and steadily on burning coal, you will be free of all disasters and bad health. In addition, some devotees perform this act as a form of gratitude for overcoming their difficulties. Whatever the reason be for walking on fire, the festival lifts people’s spirits and instils new energy in them!