OBSERVE RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS, YOUNG DEVOTEES URGED
After 21 days of fasting and prayers, more than 40 devotees strode across burning embers amid drumming and chanting.
Young devotees of the Hindu faith have been reminded of the importance of observing traditions, immersing themselves in worship and attending prayers daily.
The reminder came as more than 1000 Hindu devotees converged at the TISI Sangam Mariamman temple at Naitata, Navua, yesterday for the annual firewalking ceremony.
After 21 days of fasting and prayers, more than 40 devotees strode across burning embers amid drumming and chanting. For high priest Niranjan Prasad, the event marks 45 years of participating in this much-celebrated tradition.
“I started firewalking when I was 20 years old and since then I have walked every year for the past 44 years,” Mr Prasad said.
He said it was people’s belief that made it possible for them to walk on the burning embers.
“For some people if they are sick or if they are having problems, they fast and pray and it is that faith and belief that takes them through,” he said.
“For others this is another way of devotion.”
Mr Prasad said the firewalking ceremony was a special tradition that has been passed down from the Girmitiya and observing it every year was a way of celebrating and preserving culture. “Children as young as four years participated,” he said.
His 14-year-old grandson Niklesh Prasad also walked this year and he dressed as Goddess Kali during the pooja (prayer) ceremony. “We make it a point to teach young people about the importance of this tradition and I am so proud that a lot of youths get involved in this every year,” Mr Prasad said.