Several devotees walked across a bed of burning coals in hopes of granting their wishes at a temple in central India on December 20.

The incident took place at Shri Dev Khanderao Temple in Deori, Madhya Pradesh, with footage showing men and women wearing yellow and orange-coloured clothes.

The devotees are then seen walking barefoot over the burning hot coals and chanting in the name of Shiva, one of the main deities of Hinduism.

Locals and devotees gather at this temple every year in the month of December. This unique tradition has been going on for the past 451 years in the temple premises.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, permission for setting up shops was not granted. This year, the fair commenced on December 20 and will end by December 29.

Several devotees walked across a bed of burning coals upon fulfilment of their wishes at a temple in central India’s Madhya Pradesh on December 20. The incident took place at Shri Dev Khanderao Temple in Deori of Sagar.

Visuals witnessing the incident features men and women wearing yellow and orange-coloured attires. They are seen walking barefoot over the burning hot coal. Devotees present at the spot are also chanting in the name of Lord Shiva, one of the main deities of Hinduism.

Locals and devotees gather at this temple every year in the month of December. This unique tradition has been going on for the past 451 years in the temple premises.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, permission for setting up shops was not granted. This year, the fair commenced on December 20 and will end by December 29.

Firewalking has been practised by many people and cultures in all parts of the world, with the earliest known reference dating back to Iron Age India c. 1200 BC. It is often used as a rite of passage, as a test of an individual's strength and courage, or in religion as a test of one's faith.

Modern physics has explained the phenomenon, concluding that the amount of time the foot is in contact with the ground is not enough to induce a burn, combined with the fact that embers are not good conductors of heat.