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Hundreds of devotees in Jharkhand's Hesal village walked on fire on Saturday to appease Lord Shiva and pray for the well being of their families. Hesel village is located about 40 kilometres from the state's capital Ranchi . A devotee, Rampado Mahto, highlighted the significance of the traditional ritual, which is being followed for ages by inhabitants of Hesel and other neighbouring villages. "Devotees make their wishes as they keep fast and do not eat anything for nearly 48 hours and walk on fire embers. They appease Lord Shiva through this ritual. It is learnt that the children do not get injured by walking on the fire embers," said Mahto. Men, women and children walked on the fire embers with full devotion. "This is the tradition (that is being followed since many years) in which we worship our deities Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for nine days. We also worship Lord Hanuman," said a priest, Shiv Goswami. The ritual has acquired significance as devotees come through the fire unscathed.

Jharkhand devotees walk on fire to appease Lord Shiva