Igitun Chalne

Igitun Chalne, Konkani for 'walking on fire,' is an act-of-faith festival held every May at the Shri Lairai temple in Shirgao, a village in Bicholim taluka. Devotees walk barefoot across a bed of burning embers as an expression of devotion to the goddess Lairai.

Origins

The ritual is performed to honour vows made to the goddess, and many participants observe a period of fasting and abstinence in the days beforehand as preparation.

How It's Celebrated

In the early hours of the morning, a long trench of wood is burned down to glowing coals. Devotees run across the embers barefoot while calling out the goddess's name, some crossing more than once, as large crowds gather to watch. The ritual is followed by celebrations that continue through the night.

Written for Ami Goans; researched from public sources, since this festival has no dedicated Wikipedia article yet.