Mangalore : Spectacular Fire Play to Appease Deity at Kateel Temple

Mangalore : Spectacular Fire Play to Appease Deity at Kateel Temple
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje 
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VA) 

Mangalore, Apr 23: The devotees at Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple get to witness a unique ritual of pleasing the Gods. As a part of eight-day festival at the temple, here two villagers use burning palm fronds against each other to display their reverence to the deity. 

The tradition which is known as ‘Agni Keli’ or Toothedhara(in Tulu)  is being carried out in the temple during the festival for centuries. 

Agni Keli usually takes place on the second day of the eight- day fest. During the ritual, a person can have a go at his opponent just five times and the sixth time the palm fronds have to be discarded. The burning palm fronds are thrown at the opponent and he picks up and throws against the opposite group, not any individual. The people who suffer burns are sprayed with water of Kumkumarchane. The ritual lasts for 15 minutes.