Firewalking at Maha Mariam Temple in Navatu, Ba, Fiji Islands.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica Online, fire walking is "...a religious ceremony practiced in many parts of the world, including the Indian subcontinent, Malaya, Japan, China, Fiji Islands, Tahiti, Society Islands, New Zealand, Mauritius, Bulgaria, and Spain." Fiji is specifically mentioned as one of the centres of its practice around the world. Indeed, that would appear to be the case as a number of temples around the country practice this fascinating custom. Firewalking is largely a South Indian practice and thus the temples that undertake firewalking in Fiji are part of this South Indian tradition. I covered a firewalking event at a place called Field 40 in Lautoka a few weeks ago but every firewalking event is different which is why when someone mentioned a firewalking event happening at the Maha Mariam Temple in Navatu, Ba, I couldn't resist. I had to go.

Like I said in my previous vlog on firewalking, it isn't just the firewalking itself I was interested in. It was the whole wonderful spectacle that culminated in it including the generosity in providing free for everyone, visitors and devotees alike.