THEEMITHI (FIREWALKING) FESTIVAL 2023

The annual Theemithi (Firewalking) Festival is a significant religious event for Hindus in Singapore. It is actually a 3-month long festival with several pre-events and ceremonies that culminate to the Theemithi (Firewalking) Day on 5 November 2023. The festival takes place at Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, the Sri Mariamman Temple at South Bridge Road.

The festival has a long history and has been part of the Hindu life in Singapore for more than 150 years. It was introduced by those who came to work here in Singapore for the British colonial establishements. Most hailed from the state  of Tamil Nadu, a state in Southern India. The event is part of the folklore of the Indian epic Mahabharatha. Several key scenes from Mahabharatha are acted out by volunteers. They act out salient parts of the epic. The festival is in honour of Goddess Sri Drowpathai Amman, a main character of the epic and one of the main deities at Sri Mariamman Temple. The Firewalking Festival symbolises the completion of her vow at the end of the great war in that epic.

The festival starts on 21 August 2023 with Kodiyetram (festival flag hoisting). Theemithi (Firewalking) is on 5 November 2023 and post-event ceremonies will conclude on 8 November 2023.

Opening Hours

Mondays – Sundays
Morning: 6:00am to 12:00pm
Evening: 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Archanai services will end at 11:30am and 8:30pm daily.

INFORMATION ON THEEMITHI (FIREWALKING) FESTIVAL 2023

  • The annual Theemithi (Firewalking) festival will take place on Sunday, 5 November 2023 at Sri Mariamman Temple, South Bridge Road.
  • Kodiyetram (Hoisting of festival flag) is scheduled on Monday, 21 August 2023 to signify the start of Theemithi (Firewalking) Festival 2023.
  • Online registration is mandatory for all devotees who are fulfilling their vows both for pre-events and on Theemithi (Firewalking) Day. There is no direct walk-in sale of tickets on all days.
  • Devotees are encouraged to watch the livestream of various rituals relating to Firewalking Festival on HEB’s YouTube and Facebook sites from Sunday, 20 August 2023 to Sunday, 5 November 2023. Click here to view the playlist.
  • We regret to inform you that this event has a no refund and no cancellation policy. We encourage you to review all event details, including the date, time, location, before completing your registration. Changes to bookings may not be possible.
  • Due to unforeseen circumstances, the organisers reserve the right to make changes to event format including but not limited to date, time and location. Any such changes will be communicated through HEB’s website, Facebook and Instagram or registered attendees contact numbers.
  • Devotees may contact the temple at 6223 4064 or visit the following social media sites for more information on the latest arrangements for the festival:

Details of Online Registration

  • ONLINE REGISTRATION is required for pre-events (Paalkudam, Angaprathachanam, Kumbiduthandam) and for participation on Theemithi (Firewalking) Day.
  • Online registration for pre-events and Theemithi (Firewalking) will open on Monday, 25 September 2023 and close on Saturday, 4 November 2023 at 11:00pm.
  • All pre-events like Paalkudam, Angaprathachanam, and Kumbiduthandam will start from Saturday, 21 October 2023.
  • Registered devotees are advised to come only 30 minutes before their designated time slot. Those who come too early will not be allowed to enter till their designated timeslot.
  • Devotees registering online to participate will receive an Email and SMS confirmation upon successful booking and payment made. E-Payment options are provided on the registration portal.
  • As booking is on a first come first serve basis, participants are urged to register early. Changes to bookings may not be possible.

General Conditions of Participation

  • Only registered participants are allowed to fulfil their vows. Booking is only deemed confirmed upon successful online payment.
  • To participate in the respective pre-event(s), registration confirmation (SMS or E-mail notification) must be shown to enter Sri Mariamman Temple and Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple respectively.
  • Devotees will have an option to offer either temple prepared paalkudams or self-prepared paalkudams.
  • Devotees offering self-prepared paalkudams need to prepare their paalkudams at home as space within the Temple is limited.
  • Devotees who are are fulfilling their religious vows for Angaprathatchanam and Kumbiduthandam are encouraged to circumambulate a maximum of 3 rounds. This will allow other devotees at the respective time slots to fulfill their religious vows in a timely manner.

Conditions specifically for the day of Theemithi (5 November 2023)

Male

  • Male devotees crossing the firepit on Sunday, 5 November 2023 can only register to collect their wristband and kanganam at the stipulated time slots and venue:
    • Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (PGP Hall) – Available time slots: 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm
  • Male devotees will not be allowed to collect their wristbands and kanganam at Sri Mariamman Temple.
  • Those below the age of 16 years and female devotees are not permitted to walk on the fire pit.
  • Male devotees who are between 16 to 20 years of age must proceed to Sri Mariamman Temple in the evenings from Saturday, 14 October 2023 between 7pm to 9pm with their parent or legal guardian to verify and register their participation before 29 October 2023.
  • Devotees crossing the fire pit will not be allowed to carry offerings such as garlands or ceremonial objects.

Female

  • Female devotees are only allowed to go around the firepit to fulfil their vow.
  • Female devotees circumambulating the fire pit on Sunday, 5 November 2023 and Monday, 6 November 2023 can only register to collect their wristband and kanganam at the stipulated time slots and venue:
    • Sri Mariamman Temple (Wedding Hall – Level 1) – Available time slots: 11pm (5/11/2023), 12am(6/11/2023), 1am (6/11/2023)

 

Online registration will open on Monday, 25 September 2023. Click here to register!

Registration for Pre-Events and Theemithi (Firewalking) Day will open from Monday, 25 September 2023 to Saturday, 4 November 2023 (11:00pm).

 

Livestream of Pre-Events & Theemithi (Firewalking) Festival 2023

  • Key ceremonies relating to Theemithi (Firewalking) will be livestreamed via HEB’s YouTube channel and Facebook page and will continue to be available on these platforms post event.
  • Firewalking related religious ceremonies can also be viewed live via https://www.youtube.com/hinduendowmentsboard or https://www.facebook.com/hinduendowmentsboard