- Title: Devotees walk on fire during annual ritual in southern India
- Date: 4th January 2020
- Summary: SHIVAMOGGA, KARNATAKA, INDIA (JANUARY 3, 2020) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) (NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF DEVOTEES WEARING BLACK TRADITIONAL CLOTHES AND PREPARING RITUALISTIC FIRE DEVOTEES CARRYING WOODEN LOG VARIOUS OF DEVOTEES SINGING DEVOTIONAL SONGS AND CIRCUMAMBULATING THE FIRE FLOUR BALLS BEING DEEP FRIED IN A CONTAINER / DEVOTEES TAKING THE BALLS DIRECTLY OUT OF THE CONTAINER WITH BARE HANDS DEVOTEES TAKING OUT THE BALLS FROM CONTAINER WITH BARE HANDS DEVOTEES PRAYING AND CHANTING VARIOUS OF DEVOTEES TAKING FLOUR BALLS FROM THE CONTAINER (SOUNDBITE) (English) A DEVOTEE, ARCHANA, SAYING: "I have seen that they walk on the fire ball and they pick up the fried items from the hot oil with bare hands, that is all really amazing. I have... I am amazed to see that the superpower is really working on them and it is my blessing to see this." DEVOTEES PREPARING FIRE FIRE BLAZING PRIESTS PRAYING IN FRONT OF IMAGES OF HINDU GOD, 'AYYAPPA' VARIOUS OF DEVOTEES PREPARING FIRE (SOUNDBITE) (English) A DEVOTEE, GAGANA, SAYING: "It's the most beautiful, wonderful experience I have ever seen and I am blessed to be here." VARIOUS OF DEVOTEES WALKING BAREFEET ON FIRE AS OTHERS SING DEVOTIONAL SONGS DEVOTEES CIRCUMAMBULATING FIRE DEVOTEES WALKING ON FIRE
- Embargoed: 18th January 2020 06:25
- Keywords: Ayyappaswamy India Kondaseva Sabarimala Shivamogga faith firewalk religion
- Location: SHIVAMOGGA, KARNATAKA, INDIA
- City: SHIVAMOGGA, KARNATAKA, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001BURAO9B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hindu devotees walked on fire on Friday (January 3) night as part of an annual ritual in India's southern Shivamogga city.
As many as 25 devotees of Hindu celibate god Ayyappa Swami, performed 'Kondaseva' (walk on fire-bed) and 'Appa Sava' (dipping hand to hot skillet) to please the deity before beginning their all-male pilgrimage to hill shrine of Sabarimala in neighbouring Kerala state.
Firewalking is an ancient ritual originated in India and is often still practiced to show people's devotion and faith to a deity. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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