The annual Aadi Kundam festival at Vanabathrakali Amman Temple near Mettupalayam saw thousands of devotees walking on fire pits as part of their religious vows. The event took place on July 30, with elaborate security arrangements.
Coimbatore: The Vanabathrakali Amman Temple, located on the banks of the Bhavani River near Thekkampatti in Mettupalayam, witnessed a grand celebration of the annual Aadi Kundam festival on July 30. Thousands of devotees participated in the fire-walking ritual, fulfilling their vows to the deity.
The festival commenced on July 23 with the flag-hoisting ceremony, followed by special pujas and village peace rituals. The main event of fire-walking began in the early hours of July 30, with the deity being taken around the temple on a lion vehicle at 3 AM.
At 5:30 AM, the fire-walking ceremony officially began. After special pujas conducted by the chief priest Hari, a flower ball was rolled into the fire pit. The chief priest was the first to walk across the burning coals, followed by Mettupalayam MLA A.K. Selvaraj, former minister S.M. Velusamy, police officials, and local dignitaries.
Thousands of devotees, including many carrying children in their arms, walked across the fire pit to fulfill their vows. Transgender individuals from the Thekkampatti area participated by carrying fire pots, milk pots, and performing special dances.
To ensure the safety of the devotees, more than 600 police personnel were deployed under the supervision of ADSP Suresh Kumar, as per the orders of Coimbatore SP Badri Narayanan. Additionally, over 100 fire and rescue personnel, led by Mettupalayam Fire Station Officer Balasubramaniam and P.N. Palayam Fire Station Officer (in-charge) Suresh Kumar, were on standby.
For the convenience of devotees, more than 40 special buses were operated from various parts of Coimbatore and Mettupalayam. The event concluded peacefully, marking another successful year of this centuries-old tradition at the Vanabathrakali Amman Temple.
The festival commenced on July 23 with the flag-hoisting ceremony, followed by special pujas and village peace rituals. The main event of fire-walking began in the early hours of July 30, with the deity being taken around the temple on a lion vehicle at 3 AM.
At 5:30 AM, the fire-walking ceremony officially began. After special pujas conducted by the chief priest Hari, a flower ball was rolled into the fire pit. The chief priest was the first to walk across the burning coals, followed by Mettupalayam MLA A.K. Selvaraj, former minister S.M. Velusamy, police officials, and local dignitaries.
Thousands of devotees, including many carrying children in their arms, walked across the fire pit to fulfill their vows. Transgender individuals from the Thekkampatti area participated by carrying fire pots, milk pots, and performing special dances.
To ensure the safety of the devotees, more than 600 police personnel were deployed under the supervision of ADSP Suresh Kumar, as per the orders of Coimbatore SP Badri Narayanan. Additionally, over 100 fire and rescue personnel, led by Mettupalayam Fire Station Officer Balasubramaniam and P.N. Palayam Fire Station Officer (in-charge) Suresh Kumar, were on standby.
For the convenience of devotees, more than 40 special buses were operated from various parts of Coimbatore and Mettupalayam. The event concluded peacefully, marking another successful year of this centuries-old tradition at the Vanabathrakali Amman Temple.