This is the lit scene in Kateelu, Dakshina Kannada, India where Hindu devotees hurl burning palm fronds at one another in an ancient ritual to please the Goddess Durga, seen on Friday (April 22).

The devotees who take part in the firefight split into two groups and face each other from a distance of 10 – 15 meters.

Armed with a hefty supply of burning palm frond torches, they start throwing them at each other, trying to hit as many devotees from the opposing group.

To prevent serious burns, the men only wear pieces of cloth around their lower body, but they are often set ablaze during the fiery ritual. If a person suffers any burns, they are sprayed with water.

Agni Keli, the Fire Fight of Kateel Durga Parameswari Temple, in Mangalore, India, is a unique ritual that has hundreds of devotees throwing burning palm fronds at each other, to appease the Hindu goddess Durga. Hundreds of devotees gather to carry out a centuries-old tradition that involves throwing and getting hit with burning palm fronds. The fiery action attracts thousands of spectators, who watch as the torch-wielding men try to set each other ablaze.

Every year, the Festival of Kateel Durga Parameswari Temple is celebrated over 8 days in the month of April. The devotees who take part in the firefight split into two groups and face each other from a distance of 10 – 15 meters. Armed with a hefty supply of burning palm frond torches, they start throwing them at each other, trying to hit as many devotees from the opposing group. To prevent serious burns, the men only wear pieces of cloth around their lower body, but they are often set ablaze during the fiery ritual. If a person suffers any burns, they are sprayed with water.