South Bridge Road echoed with chants of “Om Sakthi!” and the cadence of traditional percussion on Nov 1, marking another completion of Singapore’s oldest Hindu ritual— the annual firewalking festival, also known as Theemithi (“stepping on fire” in Tamil).
More than 4,000 male devotees descended on the firepit, which was 3 per cent more than last year, said the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB).
Before them, chief priest Venugopal Thiranavukkarasu, balancing the sacred sakthi karagam (holy vessel that represents the deity) atop his head, led the way across the embers first at 6.17pm.
His crossing was the culmination of an arduous 4km foot procession from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road, flanked by the rest of the devotees.
Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng joined as guest of honour just before the karagam reached Sri Mariamman Temple. Dr Tan also spent a few minutes interacting with the volunteers at the firepit.
The firewalking festival marks the pinnacle of a culmination of events over nearly three months that began from the flag-hoisting ceremony on Aug 17.
These events follow the Hindu epic, Mahabharata and are dedicated primarily to the Goddess Draupadi.
The ritual of walking across hot embers commemorates Draupadi’s divine purity, moral resilience and triumph over injustice, as told in the epic. Devotees fulfill their vows as a manner of thanksgiving.
Preparations for the sacred firepit began at around 8am on Nov 1, right after the final event, the padukalam rites.
More than 50 volunteers prepared and tended the 5.49m stretch of embers along with the milk pit at the finish, said Mr T G Gritharan, the temple’s committee chairman.
“This number is more than our usual of up to 45 volunteers at the pit. We decided to increase the volunteer count so that there is more support for each of them,” he said.
Including the volunteers at the firepit, a dedicated cohort of nearly 400 volunteers worked hand-in-hand to manage the crowds, coordinate rituals and ensure devotee safety.
For veteran volunteer S. Sivaparakash, 52, standing at the edge of the firepit felt like second nature. Having first stepped onto the embers as a 16 year old, he has spent over three decades walking the fire and serving in nearly every operational role behind the scenes.
This year, Mr Sivaparakash took up one of the festival’s most crucial duties: standing right by the pit to ensure devotees crossed safely.
“It is pure love that brings me back every single year, love for the festival, for the community, and for the Goddess,” Mr Sivaparakash said, adding: “She (Goddess Draupadi) has carried me through so much in life. Standing by the embers and helping others fulfil their vows safely is simply my small way of giving back,” he mused.
The festival also knows no cultural divides, as represented by Mr Ryan Tan, 45, a Chinese devotee.
Faced with his mother’s severe illness a decade ago, a deeply worried Mr Tan turned to a Hindu friend who suggested praying to Goddess Draupadi and pledging to walk across the firepit. Within a year, his mother made an unexpected and steady recovery.
True to his word, Mr Tan took his first steps across the embers in thanksgiving and hasn’t missed a year since. He believes that every step is a blessing.
“Initially, I was terrified to step onto that bed of fire,” Mr Tan admitted, adding: “Even some of my Hindu friends who had never firewalked before thought it was completely absurd that a Chinese man was going to do it.”
“For the Goddess to hear a son’s desperate prayers, heal my mother, and allow me to walk across those coals year after year completely unhurt isn’t just good fortune. To me, that is pure divine grace.”
