I have been taking pictures for many years. In order to keep this passion of mine going, I try to focus on a theme or subject every 6 months to make it interesting. Since Singapore is such a multicultural society, I decided that my photography focus/subject and plan for the next 6 months will be on the various interesting cultures in Singapore. When the opportunity came to capture this year's Fire Walking Festival up close and personal at the Sri Mariamman Temple , I brought my camera along.
It was a wonderful and educational 6-hr experience for me. I was free to move around in the temple and had many wonderful conversations that helped me to appreciate this amazing festival. O.k. I know what you are thinking...Don't ask me how I was able to gain full access. Just enjoy my pictures and learn more about this wonderful culture and festival.
I hope these pictures will not only give you an interesting visual experience but also help you to understand the history behind the Fire Walking Festival. Enjoy!
Sri Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. Built in 1827, Mariamman Kovil or Kling Street Temple as it was popularly known then was constructed for worship by immigrants from the Nagapatnam and Cuddalore districts of South India. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Mariamman, known for her power in curing epidemic illnesses and diseases.
Located in the heart of Chinatown, the temple’s ornamental tower entrance or gopuram, has been a landmark to generations of Hindu worshippers and Singaporeans alike. Please log on to the Sri Mariamman Temple website to find out more.
This is a very amazing temple. Very colourful and nicely decorated. When I entered the temple, I can sense intense calmness and peace. The temple has very nicely decorated ceilings and paintings all over. It was indeed a visual treat for me.
Fire walking is the major event of Singapore's Theemidhi Festival, which takes place close to the start of Deepavali, the Festival of Lights. Barefoot Hindus walk across white-hot embers at the Sri Mariamman Temple in honour of the goddess Draupadi. Theemithi (Thimithi) or "firewalking" is done as part of a religious vow in which the devotee promises to walk on fire in exchange for a wish or blessing granted by the Goddess Draupadi.
This is goddess Draupadi. She was placed directly in front of the fire pit to "witness" the fire walking of the devotees.
Draupadi is a heroine of the epic poem Mahabharata, a princess who was the subject of her husband's wager in a game of dice he played with his cousin, Duryodhana, and lost. She had to prove her innocence and fidelity by walking barefoot over hot coals. That was not her only hardship; indeed she epitomises harsh treatment of women by men. Devotees walk barefoot across a four-metre pit of red-hot coals. It is said that if a devotee is not pure, he or she will fail the test and be burnt. Fire-walkers observe strict vegetarianism and fasting rituals for weeks before to complete the challenge miraculously unscathed.
The preparation period before the actual fire walking day is traditionally eighteen days. I was told that the preparation of the pit is a very elaborated affair. A special kind of wood that can burn for a long time was used for the pit. Before the pit can be ready for fire walking, a lot of work needs to be done. I had the privilege of witnessing the entire process. Please allow my pictures to tell the story...
At the end of the pit was a dug pool filled with milk. Do you know where the milk came from? Packet milk from supermarket....many packets!
He's so HOT! Literally...
Yes. it can be a very "heated up" expereince. I was standing about 3-4 meters away from the pit and I cannot last more than 10 mins. It was really very hot! The helpers and volunteers around the the fire walking pit needed to wet themselves regularly with water to prevent their skin from burning.
These were the volunteers and helpers for the festival. A final briefing before the fire walking starts! The crowd was really excited! Lots of cheering and screaming everywhere. The music was also blasting non-stop in the background.
Emotions and devotion of some of the Devotees in the temple. Feelings were intense and strong. I can feel it when I look at the pictures below. Can you?
I was not peeping at the ladies from the top. I was just captivated by the colors presented to me when I looked down. Had to capture this shot.
The "band" was really amazing. Background tunes were playing non-stop and these musicians were expected to play on until the entire ceremony is over. That will be from 6 p.m. to about 4 a.m. Gosh!
More pictures from the fire walking festival. And guess who I saw at the temple... Yes, our immediate past President S. R. Nathan of Singapore! I was told that he attends the ceremony every year without fail. Lots of cheering when he arrived. A popular guy in the community....obviously.
I was told that about 5,000 people were at the temple to witness the ceremony. The organisers were expecting about 10,000 devotees to walk the fire pit throughout the night. Wow!
Try sneaking into the temple? No way. This was the "security system" they had. Very big and imposing standing right in front of the main entrance. Very effective I must say! Ha Ha...
One of the Indian names for the fire walking ritual is 'Pookulithal' which means 'walking on a bed of flowers', presumably because of the belief that Draupadi cools the coals for her devotees, making them like flowers.
I observed that different devotees reacted differently. Most ran across as quickly as possible, with their feet sinking into the intensely hot ash. But others walked slowly, palms of hands pressed together in an attitude of meditation. For many it appears to be a considerable ordeal, not easily accomplished, and some on arriving at the other side appeared on the verge of collapse, as they prostrated themselves before the Goddess Draupadi. One thing for sure, they got tremendous verbal and physical support and encouragement from the crowd. 
These volunteers wrapped in wet towels (to keep themselves moisted to prevent skin burns) were the "supporters or guardians" of the fire pit. Their job was to ensure the devotees cross the pit successfully. If anyone loses their balance and fall, they will be there to pull them out immediately. Certain devotees believed themselves to have become possessed by a deity who will bestow extraordinary powers on them.These devotees would behave in a very unstable way and they will start swaying and behave aggressively. When I was there, I personally witnessed several "trance" transitions. Very interesting. The "supporters and guardians" role is critical when the devotees are in "trance" when they cross the pit. Heard many scary and interesting stories from past ceremonies. I salute these "supporters and guardians"!
Yes, there was a medical tentage located out of sight from the main pit. When I was there, 2 devotees were evacuated to the hospital for really bad burns. The tentage was staff by female volunteers to help injured fire walkers.
Yes, I love SG too! Hey, this guy looks like a "foreign Talent"???
A well spent 6 hours in the temple I must say. I hope you have enjoyed my pictures and do visit this blog regularly for updates. Cheers!
Jim
REFERENCES
K. D. Bhagavati. 'Sakti cult in South India', in The Cultural Heritage of India, V o 1.1V. Ramakrishna Mission. 1983.
Alleyn Diesel. . Hindu Firewalking in Natal' in the Journal for the Study of Religio/J, Vol. 3. No. I, March 1990.
Alf Hiltebeitel. The Cult of Draupadi. University of Chicago Press, 1988.Internet sources on temple write-up:
There are many YouTube videos on the Internet as well. Check them out.
