Chhattisgarh Couple Walks on Fire in Wedding Ritual

In a village near Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, a decades-old wedding ritual involving a couple walking barefoot over burning embers has recently gone viral. This striking ceremony replaces conventional wedding elements with a path of fire, symbolizing the couple's endurance and faith.

Locals refer to the practice as an 'agnipariksha,' or trial by fire, with some believing it reveals ill omens or tests the couple's resolve to face hardships together. Despite the apparent danger, villagers assert that no injuries occur due to strong faith and divine protection.

The ritual is an integral part of weddings for families of the Gandhel gotra in the Rathiya community. It is performed at dusk under a mandap, often after family members observe a strict fast. A mandatory puja at the ancient Shiva temple precedes and follows the ceremony, reinforcing its spiritual significance.