Theemithi

Theemithi (firewalking) is a sacred Hindu ritual where devotees walk barefoot across a fire pit to seek blessings from or fulfil vows to the goddess Draupadi. This centuries-old practice is the culmination of a three-month festival that includes 18 distinct religious rites, each recreating significant episodes from the Tamil epic Mahabharatam(known as the Mahabharata in Sanskrit). Nightly recitations of the epic are conducted till the festival ends.

Originating in southern India, Theemithi has spread through much of the South Indian diaspora, with notable celebrations in Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. In Singapore, the ritual has been an annual tradition since 1840, hosted by the Sri Mariamman Temple on South Bridge Road, the nation's oldest Hindu temple. The event draws thousands of participants and spectators, including non-Hindus and non-Indians.

The festival commences on the new moon day of the Tamil month of Aipasi (mid-October to mid-November) with a ceremonial flag-raising at Draupadi's sanctum. The flag, adorned with an image of Lord Hanuman, is a symbol of divine protection for the temple throughout the festival period. 

The weeks preceding the firewalking feature various rituals honouring Hindu deities, particularly goddess Mariamman, the temple's principal deity. In the Mahabharatam, Draupadi's vow is connected to a pivotal moment in the epic. After being humiliated and nearly disrobed in the Kaurava court, she vowed not to tie her hair until it was washed with the blood of those who had wronged her. This vow was ultimately fulfilled after the great Kurukshetra War, where the Pandavas defeated the Kauravas. On the day of Theemithi, the ceremony begins with the reenacting of Draupadi's “sacred vow”.

Following this enactment, the fire pit is prepared for the final stage of Theemithi. The chief pandaram (priest) walks across the pit first, followed by devotees. There are strict protocols in place for this ritual, applicable to all participants. After walking barefoot across the fire pit, the firewalkers cool their feet in a pit filled with milk.

In Singapore, the firewalking ritual is performed predominantly by South Indians, especially Tamils, and is strictly a male-only ritual. While women are not allowed to participate in the firewalking, they may circle the fire pit or observe as spectators. Although it is a Hindu ceremony, men of other ethnicities, religions, and nationalities occasionally participate, and the event attracts large numbers of tourists. The festival is jointly organised by the Hindu Endowments Board and Sri Mariamman Temple.



For more information
Gopal, Nalina. “Theemithi (Firewalking Festival).” BiblioAsia., Vol. 18, Issue 3, Oct–Dec 2022. https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-18/issue-3/oct-dec-2022/theemithi-firewalking-festival/#:~:text=Theemithi%2C%20which%20means%20%E2%80%9Cfirewalking%E2%80%9D,including%20devotees%20and%20the%20curious 
Vasu, Suchitthra. “Theemithi (Firewalking Festival).” Singapore Infopedia. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=2a658a41-be04-43ee-88dd-142d9db88e22 
“Theemithi.” Roots.sg. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://www.roots.gov.sg/ich-landing/ich/theemithi#:~:text=Theemithi%20originated%20in%20southern%20India,Temple%20in%20South%20Bridge%20Road 

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The information in this article is valid as of August 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit here.