SINGAPORE, October 16, 2003: About 3,200 men made the ceremonial dash across a pit of hot coals at Sri Mariamman Temple yesterday, as part of the annual Hindu festival of Thimithi. The fire-walking festival has been held at the South Bridge Road temple since 1840. It is celebrated before Deepavali, which falls on October 24 this year. Hindus cross the coal pit as penance or to give thanks to the Goddesses Sri Mariamman and Sri Drowpathai Amman. The ritual started at 2am yesterday, when the devotees started the hour-long trek from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road to South Bridge Road. Only men are allowed to perform the ceremony. Devotees fast beforehand in preparation and, in the week leading up to the walk, perform other acts of penance, including prostrating themselves and rolling around the temple. About 5,000 people watched the fire-walking ceremony yesterday.
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