All set for firewalking ceremony Amajor

religious event will be held over this Easter weekend will be the annual fire-walking ceremony at the historic 138-yearold temples - the Sri Siva Soobramoniar and Marieammen Temples - in Langalibelele Street, on Good Friday.

A monumental contribution by indentured labourers from South India, led by one Kistappa Reddy, this event attracts thousands of people from all corners of the province and beyond on a religious pilgrimage to the city.

This year’s event is expected to restore the fire-walking ceremony to its former glory, according to the president of the temples, Prega Padayachee.

Apart from the fact that for the first time in many years the fire-walking ceremony was abandoned in 2018 because of a storm and for two years there was no fire-walking ceremony because of the Covid-19 pandemic, devotees were a little apprehensive after the Covid-19 ban was lifted. Even devotees, who would normally come with offerings, stayed away.

“Last year our estimate was half the numbers we normally have because we scaled down. With the large turnout we had at last Wednesday's flag-hoisting ceremony, we expect to have a major turn out for the fire-walking ceremony on Good Friday with more than a thousand devotees expected to walk across the fire pit,” Padayachee said.

Temple funds, which are much needed, were also depleted because of the ceremony not taking place during the pandemic.

To raise funds this year, a pooja stall, a refreshment kiosk and a sari stall have been added for the event.

The hoisting of the flag last week meant a 10-day period of fasting. The devotees will assemble at the temple every evening for prayers and religious rituals before they traverse the pit.