Hundreds of devotees hurled flaming bundles of sticks at each other in southern India's Karnataka on Friday April 22 as part of a fire ritual called Thoothedhara or Agni Kheli.

The terrifying tradition took place in the town of Kateel.

The devotees were divided into two groups, who threw the flaming wood at each other.

The men performed the ritual enthusiastically while the crowd cheered them on.

It is an age-old tradition followed by devotees of the Durgaparameshwari Temple. However, the tradition is restricted to people of Kateel town.

The devotees fast for eight days of the festival and refrain from consuming meat and alcohol.

Hundreds of devotees were seen hurling balls of fire at each other in southern India's Karnataka on April 22 as part of a fire ritual 'Thoothedhara' or ‘Agni Kheli'. The incident took place in the Kateel town.

Visuals feature the devotees divided in two groups and hurling flaming wooden logs at each other. The men perform the ritual enthusiastically while the crowd cheers the proceedings.

The 'Agni Kheli’ or ‘Thoothedhara’ is an age-old tradition followed by devotees of the Durgaparameshwari Temple. However, the tradition is restricted to people of Kateel town and the devotees keep a fast for eight days of the festival and refrain from consuming meat and alcohol.