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Goan devotees walk on fire to prove purity
Panaji:
For those wanting to check their goodness quotient, Goa's "Walk on
Fire" Festival is the ideal event. The day long festival that honours
the Goddess 'Lairai Mata', is a night when Goa does not sleep. After offering
prayers to the Goddess, devotees walk over smouldering embers to wash
away their sins. And it is said that only those who are pure, have no
burnt feet. The over 700-year-old temple, dedicated to the Goddess Lairai,
is situated about 30 km north-east of Panjim. Instead of an idol, the
temple houses the goddess in the form of a pot, as it is believed that
she is formless. "This festival holds great importance for all devotees
or 'Dhonds' who walk on fire. These people fast from morning till evening
for five days, ensuring that any food or water consumed is done only after
bathing. Everyone in the village practices this ritual and they all walk
on fire. This starts at 3 and continues till six in the morning. The devotees
have a firm faith in the Goddess as they believe that she helps them in
trouble and also fulfills their wishes. That's why we register more than
400 devotees every year," said Vasudev Vishnu Krishna, the President of
Lairai Temple Management Committee. "One of the main reasons for this
flaming worship is that Lairai Mata is considered a combination of the
powers of Brahma, Vishnu and, Mahesh, the famous trinity of the Hindu
pantheon," adds Krishna. About three lakhs people are expected to visit
the temple for this year's anniversary. Considered by scholars to be a
part of the 'Sapta- Matrika' group, Lairai Mata has a strong following.
"I have been coming here for the last ten years for offering worship.
In the whole year I fast for five days and then live on fruits for another
five," claims Prashant, a fire-walker. The Dhond population in Goa is
estimated to be over 50,000, and they come to the temple in traditional
attire on the day they have to walk on fire. They carry with them a colourful
stick made of cane, which is considered to be the symbol of the goddess.
-May 3, 2006
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