Online registration for Hindu fire-walking festival rituals opens on Sept 24

SINGAPORE – Devotees seeking to participate in religious rituals for the upcoming Hindu fire-walking festival must register online starting Sept 24.

The annual festival, also known as theemithi vizha, will take place on Nov 1 at Sri Mariamman Temple located at 244 South Bridge Road.

In a statement on Aug 6, the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) said that devotees who want to participate in the paalkudam, angaprathachanam and kumbiduthandam rituals, as well as for walking on or around the fire pit, must register at https://heb.org.sg

There will be no direct walk-in sale of tickets at the temple for participation in the rituals, HEB added.

The three-month-long festival begins with kodiyetram, or festival flag hoisting, on Aug 17.

The devotees perform the rituals to fulfil vows they have made.

The paalkudam ceremony involves carrying milk pots as an act of devotion.

For the angaprathachanam, devotees lie on the ground with their arms outstretched in prayer, and roll around the temple premises.

To perform the kumbiduthandam, devotees walk around the temple premises, prostrating in prayer every three steps.

On Nov 1, the foot procession for male participants walking on the fire pit will start from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road and end at Sri Mariamman Temple.

Devotees seeking to participate are encouraged to book their slots early as soon as online registration opens, HEB said.

They may contact the temple’s office on 6223 4064 or visit the HEB’s website and Facebook for more information.