In Tamil Nadu's Thimithi Festival, Worshippers Walk On Fire

In October, people all over India celebrate Lord Rama's grand return from Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. But in Tamil Nadu, celebrations ensue in devotion to Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. If the war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas is at the heart of Mahabharata's Hindu epic, then Draupadi is the heartbeat. And Thimithi is a spirited celebration of that. 

This festival is mainly unheard of beyond the contours of this southern state. During the Aipasi months (from October to November), this celebration engulfs the lives of many worshippers. 

Following In Draupadi's Steps

One of the major highlights of this festival is the ritual performance of walking on a blazing coalpit. But this daunting ritual has not come about without any relevance instead, it is akin to a similar event in the Mahabharata. As per the epic, after Krishna saved Draupadi from the tragic incident of being disrobed by Duryodhana, she vowed to wash her hair with Duryodhana's blood. 

Thirteen years later, Draupadi did as she promised when the war ended and the Pandavas attained victory. To prove her purity, she performed Thimithi&ndashwalking barefoot on burning coal. 

As you venture deeper into the rural parts of Tamil Nadu, this festival takes on another version, in which Mariamman (the goddess of rain and prosperity) is worshipped. Interestingly, the community considers Draupadi an incarnation of Mariamman, who is considered an incarnation of the goddess Kaali. 

The Celebrations Till Thimithi 

Like most festivals in India, this festival is not a one-day affair. The celebrations begin days prior. The onset of it is marked by worshippers adopting a strictly vegetarian diet to attain purity and praying. A week before Diwali, a flag with Hanuman and Arjuna's photo is hoisted this is a cue for the celebrations to begin in full enthusiasm. Every night, till two days after Thimithi, devotees read the Mahabharata&ndashby rule, the last chapter of the Mahabharata is to be read on the last day, marking the end of this festival. Apart from this, tales from the Mahabharata (especially Draupadi and Arjuna's marriage) are enacted by many. In many villages, two days before Thimithi, a silver chariot is taken around to celebrate the Kauravas' victory.

Every celebration leads to the day of the Thimithi, which begins as early as 4 AM. It starts with a prayer in the temple, after which the awaited ceremony starts. Before the challenging ritual starts, the chief priest ties a yellow sacred thread on the participant's wrists and then takes on the daunting task while carrying a matka (earthen pot) filled with holy water. Other worshippers follow the Chief Priest. It is a widespread belief that only those as pure as Draupadi could reach the end (where milk is kept for worshippers to wash their feet) without getting hurt. 

Over the last few years, Thimithi has received a lot of criticism for the risk it poses. This testing ritual has caused several life-threatening accidents among those who worship, especially children. However, it continues to be a part of religious life in a few villages across Tamil Nadu.