Agni keli festival

Scared of playing with fire? Only with fire crackers right. But a village in India is playing with fire every year. Yes, it is India’s Agni Keli fire festival. Come on, let’s have a look at this village in an Indian state of Karnataka.

Agni Keli Festival

Agni Keli is performed on the 8^th day of the temple’s annual festival.

What happens in a typical Indian festival?

Playing musical instruments,

Traditional dances,

Traditional dances

Singing,

Singing songs at this festival

Huge queues of devotees, and so on right.

Devotees in a huge queues

But you have witnessed such a sight before? I bet you all are stunned at this sight, because in Shri Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple, this takes place every year.

Fire throwing at this festival

Fire throwing on one another

This temple is situated on an island in the middle of the river Nandini. About 29 kms from Mangalore city, is the presence of town Kateel where this temple of Goddess Durga is found. God Durga is also known as “Jal Durga”.

Shri Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple

We don’t quite understand the logic, playing with fire to please the Goddess of water, Durga. If you ask the locals of that area about Goddess Durga, they tell the Goddess of water, who has her temple on an island. We might get a vague answer pertaining to fire and water.

Goddess Durga

The answer is in the ancient text, they contain stories about Goddess Durga’s avatars. In fact, it’s the story pertaining to her birth, her creation. All the Gods, in order to rid themselves of a demon, they transferred their respective powers to a pit of holy fire and to a holy flame which in turn was given to Goddess Durga. When those all flames came together, they combined into a single power gave rise to Goddess Durga.

Know about India's only Nail Artist - Wajid Khan 

In Hindu culture fire is considered Holy. That’s something we knew. However, the importance of the amazing game of fire is something we have understood. But in order to please Jal Durga one must follow really a lengthy procedure.

First the temple must be decorated like a bride,

Then a host of venerations are conducted,

And then begins the Goddess unique procession,

Goddess unique procession

After the end of this procession marks the beginning of this game, which people have to come to witness from far and wide.

Only the men from the villages of Attur and Kodetur can participate in this brave game. It is believed that about a few hundred years ago some struggle must’ve taken place between these villages. It is a symbolic representation of battle between them. And it also decides who the Victor is. So, even this is a possibility of this fire festival.

Fire attack beginning

The players are gathered into two teams facing one another from a distance of 20 to 30 metres. Before this game starts, they apply Kumkum all over their bodies and place some flowers over their ears. All the players should wear orange cotton lungis, and they don't wear any other clothes to avoid catching fire on their body. The players of each team are given palm fronds, which they burn to commence the game. The players are taking their respective places, looking confident and self-assured. 

Players gathered into two teams

Then what all waiting for? Attack, only attack. They breaking up in chaos and attacks.

Referees wear white dhotis to keep an eye on the fire throws and treat the injured players with holy water. Each player can have five throws and their throws are counted. Referees control and stops if any individual is being seriously targeted, and also personal attacks on any person. This entire fire festival lasts for 15 minutes

Fire attack

Fire is pure, sacred. We know fire since historic times. Fire has helped us dispel darkness, gives light.

We don’t know if this is more amazing or scary, regardless of what your perspective is. Once this over, all players get blessings from Goddess Durga Devi.

Watch this amazing video of India's Agni Keli Festival.

The zeal of these people, and the passion to continue this tradition by putting their lives in jeopardy are undoubtedly awesome!

You might like..

What is Bonfire.

How to take care of your Paintings.

How to interact with ROYAL Families

How to travel in someone's car..

How to make your cat stress free.