PHOTOS: Fire-walking now an annual ritual for devotee
Mr Rameswaran Sivagnanam, 42, had wanted to take part in the Hindu fire-walking festival Theemithi since he was young.
But he never found the time to do so until five years ago when he finally took part to thank the deities for granting his wishes.
It has since become an annual affair for the civil servant who walked across a 4m-long pit of hot coal on Sunday.
He said: "I walked as a form of thanksgiving after praying for some things. After that, I made it an annual event, as well as part of my religious ritual."
The festival took place at the Sri Mariamman Temple in South Bridge Road. It honours Draupadi, the heroine of the epic poem Mahabharata.
Devotees who wish to fulfil a vow walk across the pit of ember before dipping their feet in a small pool of milk.
The head priest of Sri Mariamman Temple led more than 4,000 male devotees in a procession from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Serangoon Road to Sri Mariamman Temple.
Mr P.P. Raj, the organising secretary of the Sri Mariamman Temple, said younger devotees in their 20s also joined the ceremony.
"It is encouraging as we are looking at more participation by younger devotees," he said.
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