Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Hindus walking on fire ceremony
God Kataragama moves in strange ways. Out of pity for human suffering, often hearing “the sad music of humanity.” He appears as the youthful God of compassion. He takes the form of god of war when wicked Titans have to be destroyed; he takes the form of the holy child Muruka omnipresent at the service of his devotees.
A day prior to the termination of the festival of God Kataragama fire walking ceremony takes place. Some devotees are inspired by the deity for an exhibition of divine power to walk on the glowing embers of fire. The inspiration comes to them as a yearning from within to join the band of fire-walkers.They bathe in the sacred waters of Menik Ganga (River of Gems) at dawn and as they step into the forty feet of fire track, without getting their feet burnt, to the amazement of the spectators.
