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| Red hot coals!!! |
Imagine starting your new year walking barefoot on 15 feet of red hot coals!! The rest of the year would be happy by comparison! The Tamil Hindu Temple in Triolet near our house sponsored the firewalking ceremony today, New Years Day. Devotees had fasted and prayed for days, and had walked from town to town in advance of the final test. Firewalking is often used as a rite of passage, as a test of an individual's strength and courage, or in religion as a test of one's faith. In this case, the firewalkers well proved their faith! After walking barefoot across red hot coals, they stepped into a pool of cool water and milk. Under overcast and sometimes rainy skies, we watched dozens make their way across the fiery path. But, we must admit, we weren't tempted to do the same! Happy New Year!
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| Watching the festivities |
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The festivities begin with drums and horns---
coal pit in the foreground |
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| Hundreds of observers despite the rain |
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| First devotee across the coals |
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| Burdened on New Years Day |
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| Ooh ooh ooh . . . |
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| Ahhhhhhhhh! |
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| Kids walked bravely |
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| Hot coals and a pierced tongue |
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| Relief for this youngster |
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| Great faith, great feats |
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