Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Firewalking festival - amazing scenes from Tanjung Bungah


If not for the banner proclaiming the firewalking event, I would have thought that I had walked right smack into a mini Thaipusam street carnival.
Still, I almost fainted when I turned around and saw this man wielding a huge blade / sickle with a lime at the tip



These 2 kavadi boys got into a such dancing frenzy, 
young men nearby had to occasionally restraint their out of 
control spinning.
Notice the older man with skewers impaling both sides of his 
cheeks and hook tugging the skin of his back. Didn't see a drop of blood ooze out, no, not even once.


This bearer actually smiled for my camera but I was just too slow. The goddess hoisted above him has long jet black hair.


Here is the central character to the whole event.
So hard to snap a pic of him .
Obviously in a trance, dancing and sweating profusely, he paved the way open,by chanting, praying and carrying out the correct rituals to ensure the safety and well being of the firewalkers on that day.


This group of ladies carrying offerings atop their heads followed him close behind


The event was not without drama. Other than the firewalking spectacle, 3 from the group of pot carriers above ,got  possessed. One of them let out such a blood curling screams it hastened my earlier than expected departure.



Location : Sri Maha Mariamman temple, Tg Bungah

Location : Tg Bungah, Penang

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