A father placed his eight-month-old baby on hot coals to fulfil a religious vow during a fire-walking ritual.

A shocking video of the incident records the man placing the baby, who is wrapped in banana leaves, on burning embers.

The footage shows the baby wailing in discomfort due to the heat and smoke that rises from the bed of hot coals. The baby was fortunately not hurt. The man picked him up and completed a fire walk.

The incident occurred during Muharram in Allapur village in South Indian state of Karnataka.

Quoting police sources media reports said the parents of the baby had prayed for a boy two years ago. “As their wish was fulfilled, they had come to fulfil their vow,” said a police officer without giving his name as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

“The ritual lasted just for a couple of seconds," he added.

The custom of placing children on hot coals is said to be popular though it has been caught on camera for the first time.

The police said they had not filed a case against the parents, but had informed the Child Welfare Committee to counsel them.