Yesterday, August 9th, 2013 the Vallaikappu (Bangle) ceremony took place in the Vallaikappu Mandapam, Fifth Prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple. Later that day around 11.30 p.m. preparations began in front of the Unnamalai Amman Temple for the Fire Walking ceremony. At that time logs were set alight and allowed to burn up. At about 1.00 a.m. this morning Saturday August 10th, 2013, embers from the burnt logs were spread out on the compound floor in front of the Amman Temple.
I have attended (as a visitor NOT participant) the Fire Walking ceremony at the Big Temple three times in the past, and had no plans to visit Arunachaleswarar Temple this year to view the ceremony. Thankfully I was snug and safe at home, because we had a fierce storm in these parts all through yesterday evening and early morning today. I am amazed that the organisers were able to keep the logs alight long enough for them to burn down to embers as I expected that due to the storm that the fire walking function would have to be cancelled.
