Thoothedhara Festival: Devotees Exchange Burning Palm Fronds At Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple — WATCH

‘Thoothedhara’ or ‘Agni keli’ festival: The event showcased devotees, predominantly bare-chested men in dhotis, lighting palm fronds, and tossing them as an act of reverence to Goddess Durga

In Kateen town, Karnataka, devotees of the Durgaparmeshwari Temple observed the age-old tradition of ‘Thoothedhara’ or ‘Agni Keli’, where hundreds of worshippers engaged in hurling balls of fire at each other. The event, captured in a video posted by news agency ANI, showcased devotees, predominantly bare-chested men in dhotis, lighting palm fronds, and tossing them as an act of reverence to Goddess Durga. Check out the video here: 

Here's All You Need To Know About ‘Thoothedhara’ Or ‘Agni Keli’

The ritual, deeply rooted in tradition, took place at the Durgaparmeshwari Temple, located approximately 30 kilometres from Mangaluru. Besides the participants, it can be seen in the video, numerous other devotees gathered at the temple compound to witness this unique spectacle. 

Considered hazardous by some, the ritual is an integral part of the annual Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple festival. Participants, divided into two groups, stand facing each other, throwing palm fronds from a distance of 15 to 20 metres. This fire-hurling activity lasts for about 15 minutes, after which devotees proceed inside the temple. 

Restricted to residents of Kateel town and nearby villages such as Athoor and Kodathoor, the tradition involves fasting for eight days during the festival period, during which followers abstain from meat and alcohol consumption. 

Situated amidst the river Nandini on an islet in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, the Durgaparmeshwari Temple holds a significant place as one of the oldest temples in Kateel.