This is a festival of Tamil Nadu. This festival usually takes place in
the temples dedicated to Kartikeya or Mariamman where trenches of
burning coal are laid out for the devotees to walk over. It has been
seen that people who volunteer to undertake this experience with faith,
come away unharmed and unscathed.
The chief priest of the temple and the twelve 'hero-youths', who are to
perform this feat, first go out in a procession from the temple to bathe,
smear themselves with turmeric, powder, and begin the dance. Then they
walk over a long pit covered with burning coals and come out unscathed.
This is followed by singing and feasting which continues till late night.