The Bannari Mariamman Temple’s Kundam Festival (fire-walking) in Erode is a major, vibrant event held annually, famous for its spectacular theemidhi (firewalking) ritual where devotees walk across a large fire pit, demonstrating faith and seeking blessings from the powerful deity, Bannari Amman, near Sathyamangalam. This grand festival involves rigorous preparations, including fasting, prayers, and constructing the fire pit, culminating in devotees walking through the flames, a central part of the temple’s significance.
Key Aspects of the Festival:
- Location: Bannari, near Sathyamangalam, Erode District, Tamil Nadu, at the foothills of the Western Ghats.
- Main Ritual: The Kundam (fire pit) ceremony, where devotees perform firewalking as an act of penance and devotion.
- Preparation: Devotees prepare for weeks with fasting (vratham) and prayers before the event.
- Significance: It’s a major festival in Tamil Nadu, drawing huge crowds, and is central to the temple’s fame as a powerful shrine.
How to Find More:
- You can search for “Bannari Amman Kundam Festival 2025” or “Bannari Mariamman Temple Festival” on YouTube for videos of the event.