Watch a Hindu Fire-Throwing Festival

This is the Fire Fight at the Kateel Durga Parameswari Temple in Mangalore, India. Also known as Agni Keli, the religious festival features hundreds of devotees hurling burning palm branches at each other. It takes place every April for eight days at the temple.

This ritual is meant to appease Durga, the Hindu goddess of war. Participants split into two groups and stand roughly 50 feet across from each other … they then throw the burning branches. Their goal is to hit as many people as possible. To avoid significant burns, worshippers wear very little clothing. Holy water is quickly sprayed onto anyone who is burned.