Theemithi: The Firewalking Festival

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. Theemithi is part of a larger ceremony stretching over a two-and-a-half month period where parts of the Mahabharata is re-enacted, totaling up to 18 distinguishable rites.

History

Firewalking is an international Hindu festival which originated in South India. It is practised not only in India and Singapore but even in South Africa and wherever there are South Indians. The Goddess Draupadi is the heroine of the Mahabharata and is a common village goddess, or amman ("mother" goddess). She presides over firewalking in South Indian rituals just like Mariamman who is the principal goddess of Sri Mariamman Temple, and may be one of the reasons why Sri Mariamman Temple is the location for the firewalking ceremony in Singapore. Sri Mariamman Temple also happens to be the oldest and largest Hindu temple in Singapore and Theemithi has been practised here since 1840. The firewalking is actually a culmination of a four-kilometre walk that begins at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road. The reasons for starting at the Perumal Temple is uncertain although it is suggested that the location is selected solely for convenience.

In 1997, about 2,500 persons turned up for the firewalking ritual with up to 10 percent of them being Chinese. More than 20,000 would turn up for the penance rituals, starting several weeks before the firewalking.

Legends

Theemithi is not just a single ritual performed on a particular day. It is in fact the culmination of several religious rituals which re-enacts important and auspicious events from the Hindu epic -- the Mahabaratha. Theemithi signifies the victory of a war in the Mahabaratha that took place between two families, the Pandavas and Kauravas, with the Pandavas emerging victorious.

Draupadi, wife of Pandavas, and the heroine of the epic, is portrayed as a person who endures many misfortunes but holds on steadfastly to dharma, Hindu principles and morality. Similarly, throughout the period of the reading of the Mahabharatha, the fire walkers and other devotees make sacrifices such as taking on a strict vegetarian diet and abstaining from any conjugal involvement.

Theemithi is celebrated at dawn always on the Monday before Deepavali (the Festival of Lights). According to the epic, Draupadi, on seeing the dead bodies of the members of the Kaurava family, combs her hair for the first time in 13 years. The grand finale of the victory was when Draupadi walks on fire, a process known as Theemithi, to prove her virtuosity and chastity by her adherence to dharma. It is this victory of the war with the Kauravas that is marked by Theemithi. The theemit re-enacts this event as the pandaram (chief priest) walks across the fire with the karakam (a sacred, decorated pot) the goddess inside is thus tested anew. Likewise, her devotees, if they are as pure as Draupadi, will cross the coals unharmed.

Sources: eresources, travelandbeyond