Vellavari Firewalk festival

Fire walkers observe 40 days fast and wear saffron coloured clothes. After a purificatory bath, walk through the fire stretch to the astonishment of the spectators. It is celebrated 3-4 times in a year (Jan to Apr). Men, women and children walk on fire at local temples to fulfil vows.

Fire walk festivals in May-April

Location : Thirunallar, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu

Arulmighu Badrakaliamman Temple Ambagarathur
Arulmughu Mariamman Temple Ambagarathur
Arulmughu Mariamman Temple Nalambal
Arulmughu Mariamman Temple Sethur
Arulmughu Mariamman TempleSurakudy
Arulmughu Angalammn Temple Keezhavoor
Arulmighu Kaliamman Temple , Pettai
Arulmighu Kaliamman Temple , Subrayapuram
Arulmighu Mariamman Temple , Selloor

Other locations to witness firewalk are :

Ulsoor in Bangalore, Karnataka (June)
Gobichettipalayam (Near Salem, Tamil Nadu)
Hospet, Karnataka (on Muharam)
Chennai during the Fertility festival
Adikkumpara temple at Kannur in Kerala
Shirgao Zatra,Goa (April, 3.30 am)
Thirupathi Amman temple, Andhra Pradesh

Firewalk video

Sedal festival

The famous Sedal is understood to mean self-imposed physical torture undertaken by devotees who pierce small silver hooks and spears in their body or tongues in fulfillment of some vow. It is said that as many as 100 needles are pierced over their body. They then go in a procession after a bath clad in turmeric strained clothes.