The Fire Walking Festival has a long tradition and is part of the Deepavali celebrations. The event, also known as Theemithi, is held in honour of Hindu goddess Sri Throwpathai Amman. She walked on hot coals to prove her purity. To commemorate her and to ask for her blessings, only men above the age of 16 years are allowed to walk barefoot across burning coals while female devotees walk around the pit.