Theemithi (Firewalking)

Prem Namaste, Vanakum, Hare Krsna, Jai Shree Krsna, Jai Shree Raam

All glories to our eternal Parents Shree Shree Radha Krsna.
All glories to the most merciful Shree Shree Lakshmi Nrsimhadeva.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and the other wonderful and inspiring gurus.
All glories to the wonderful servants of the Supreme Lord.

Firewalking is the act of walking barefoot over a bed of hot embers or stones. It has a long history in many cultures as a test or proof of faith, and is also used in modern motivational seminars and fund-raising events.

But from an Hindu perspective, Theemithi (Thimithi) or "firewalking" is done as part of a religious vow in which the devotee promises to walk on fire in exchange for a wish or blessing granted by the Mother Draupadi. Theemithi is part of a larger ceremony stretching over a two-and-a-half month period where parts of the Mahabharata is re-enacted, totalling up to 18 distinguishable rites.

History of firewalking: -

Firewalking is an international Hindu festival which originated in South India. It is practised not only in India but even in South Africa and wherever there are South Indians. Mother Draupadi is the heroine of the Mahabharata and is a common village devi, or amman ("mother" devi/goddess). She presides over firewalking in South Indian rituals.

Pastimes of firewalking: -

Firewalking is not just a single ritual performed on a particular day. It is in fact the culmination of several religious rituals which re-enacts important and auspicious events from the Mahabharat. Firewalking signifies the victory of a war in the Mahabharat that took place between two families, the Pandavas and Kauravas, with the Pandavas emerging victorious.

Srimati Draupadi-devi, the wife of Pandavas, and the heroine of Mahabharat, is portrayed as a person who endures many misfortunes but holds on steadfastly to dharma, Hindu principles and morality. Similarly, throughout the period of the reading of the Mahabharat, the fire walkers and other devotees make sacrifices such as taking on a strict vegetarian diet and abstaining from any conjugal involvement.

There are two versions of this story and the first one is that Srimati Draupadi devi, a princess whose husband lost her in a game of dice with his cousin, Duryodhana. Lord Krishna came to her rescue, but to add insult to injury her husband questioned her purity when she was returned, so to prove her innocence she walked across burning coals.

And the second one, according to Mahabharat, Srimati Draupadi, on seeing the dead bodies of the members of the Kaurava family, combs her hair for the first time in 13 years. The grand finale of the victory was when Draupadi walks on fire, a process known as Theemithi, to prove her virtuosity and chastity by her adherence to dharma. It is this victory of the war with the Kauravas that is marked by Theemithi. The theemit re-enacts this event as the pandaram (chief priest) walks across the fire with the karakam (a sacred, decorated pot) the devi/goddess inside. Likewise, her devotees, if they are as pure as Draupadi, will cross the coals unharmed.

Now in different parts of the world firewalking is performed at different times of the year. In South Africa with Chitra Paruvam Kavady (which is on 20th April), firewalking is also performed… In India the Theemithi cycle commences from the first Monday of the Tamil month of Adi which falls around July and August. To commemorate this occasion a flag (jhunda) is hoisted on the flag staff at a Mariamman Temple. This flag (jhunda) is that of Arjuna with a picture of Sri Hanumanji, symbolising strength. From this day on, the portions of the Mahabharat is read each night until two days after Theemithi. The entire celebrations for the Theemithi cycle and all other related events commences and ends at this temple. Daily prayers and fasting are necessary up to three weeks before the Theemithi ritual, a preparation and purifying process.

Aravan Puja: -

On the first Monday before the new moon in the Tamil month of Purattasi, falling between September and October, Tamils conduct the Aravan Puja or "Prayers for Aravan". This prayer is in honour of Arjuna's son, Aravan, who sacrificed himself to Mother Kali to ensure the victory for the Pandavas. The head of Aravan is displayed to symbolize the sacrifice and a trident is placed at the altar of Aravan signifying the Battle of Kurukshetra.

Keesaka Samharam: -

After the Pandavas return from exile, they worked incognito for another king known as the Matsyan king. Keesaka the commander-in-chief, attempted to seduce Srimati Draupadi. Keesaka Samharam is the name given to another ceremony which marks the slaying of Keesaka by Bhima, the 3rd of the Pandava brothers. This ceremony is held on the Saturday night before the Theemithi ceremony which falls on the following Monday.

Firewalking is also practiced by different cultures like the Eastern Orthodox Christians in parts of Greece, and Bulgaria, by fakirs and similar persons, !Kung Bushmen of the African Kalahari desert have practiced firewalking since their tribal beginnings. (The !Kung use fire in their healing ceremonies.), by Japanese Taoists and Buddhists, by tribes throughout Polynesia, many westerners as a rite of purification, healing, initiation and transcendence.

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