PICTURES: Durban takes part in Hindu firewalking festival
A Hindu devotee pinned with lime, fruit and leaves in a state of trance takes part in the Firewalking or 'Thimithi' festival, celebrating Draupadi. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal
Thimithi is a practice where devotees walk barefoot over a 15 metre bed of hot coals or embers as a form of religious devotion or ritual.
It's often performed as a test of faith, a rite of passage, or a way to seek blessings from the deity.
Photographer Rajesh Jantilal covered the festival.
Hundreds of Hindu devotees gather to take part in the Firewalking or 'Thimithi' festival. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal
A South African Hindu devotee pierced with hooks on which flowers and fruits are hung, takes part in the festival. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal
Picture: Rajesh Jantilal
Picture: Rajesh Jantilal
A Hindu devotee takes part in the firewalking. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal
Picture: Rajesh Jantilal
Picture: Rajesh Jantilal
A Hindu devotee lays a piece of wood to the fire being lit for people to walk on during the firewalking festival. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal
A Hindu devotee places a garland on Hindu deity Mother Draupadi. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal
PICTURES: Religious worship at the Braamfontein Spruit
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