Fire-Walking Festival of Tamil community concludes
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 11 2025: The 58th Fire-Walking Festival at Shree Angala Parmeshwari Shree Muneeshwarar Temple in Moreh commenced on April 2 and concluded on Friday, marking a significant revival of one of the region's most revered traditions.

The festival is being celebrated with renewed spirit, drawing large participation from across communities.

According to PRO IGAR (S), celebrated for the first time in 1967, the Fire-Walking Festival has evolved into a symbol of unity in Moreh.

Beyond its Tamil roots, it now sees participation from Meeteis, Nepalis, Biharis and even devotees from neighbouring Myanmar.

This year s celebration was made possible through the active support of the Assam Rifles, following a request by the Tamil Sangam.

The Assam Rifles provided essential assistance, including security cover amid prevailing internal security concerns and the daily operation of a food distribution (langar) that served 450 to 500 devotees, the PRO conveyed.

The PRO further informed that, prayers and celebrations by the locals added to the festive spirit, reflecting a collective desire to restore peace and traditional customs; Tamil Sangam president V Shekhar expressed deep gratitude for Assam Rifles, thanking them as crucial and proactive in the smooth conduct of the event, said the PRO .

According to our correspondent, this year's Festival was limited to conduct of rituals due to the ongoing crisis in the state, The festival traditionally includes procession through several localities of Moreh, with participants carrying fire pots.

However, this year, the public procession was confined within the premises of the Shree Angala Parameshwari and Shree Muneeshwarar Temple in Moreh over security concerns.

Organisers also cancelled the fire walking ritual, which is normally held on the concluding day of the festival and considered its central highlight.

Instead, a symbolic fire pot procession was held within the temple complex after bringing the fire pot along with holy water from the Sree Veerama Kali Temple at Moreh Ward No 4, and the water was sprinkled on every house of the Tamil community.

Organisers said the ritual was conducted to bless and protect families of the Tamil community in the town.

Only a small number of Tamil residents who had earlier moved to other parts of the country returned to take part in the celebration this year.

Despite the subdued celebrations, community leaders said the essence of devotion and tradition remained strong.

The Fire Walking Festival in Moreh is one of the most significant annual religious and cultural events for the local Tamil population.

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