MARCHES SUR LE FEU

January and February are the months of Tamil festivals. In order to purify themselves, the faithful fast for 10 days (sometimes 18). On the day of the celebration, they prick themselves with needles under the skin and then, to the rhythm of songs and drums, go in procession to the river to perform ablutions. They carry on their heads high vases covered with foliage and garlands and are followed by a colourful crowd. Arriving in front of the temple, under the incantations of the crowd, the penitents cross one by one a long path of burning embers.