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Father drops son on red-hot coal during Hindu ritual

Devotees must fast for seven days before walking on the burning coals in the ancient Hindu practice

Afp June 13, 2016

An Indian Hindu devotee runs on burning coals at the Maa Maariamma Mela event in Jalandhar on June 12, 2016. Devotees run on burning coals after fasting for seven days to prove their religious devotion. PHOTO: AFP

JALANDHAR: A six-year-old Indian boy was rushed to hospital with serious burn injuries after his father dropped him on hot coals during a Hindu ritual, a doctor said Monday.

The father was walking barefoot with his son Kartik in his arms on the red-hot embers when he lost his balance and fell during the ritual on Sunday, an AFP photographer at the scene said.

Bystanders rushed to the rescue and took Kartik to hospital after other family members refused to accompany him, saying they had faith in God to heal him.

An Indian Hindu devotee runs on burning coals at the Maa Maariamma Mela event in Jalandhar on June 12, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

"The boy was admitted last (Sunday) night in the emergency ward. He has burn injuries on his limbs and on one side of his trunk," doctor Jangpreet Singh told AFP.

"The father has also sustained about 15 per cent burns. I think it will take at least five to seven days for their wounds to heal."

In one of the pictures Kartik, wearing marigold garlands and a white vest, can be seen screaming in pain as those around him try to pull him out.

Six year old Indian child Kartik is tended by his mother as he recovers from his injuries in a hospital in Jalandhar on June 13, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Around 600 devotees had gathered in Jalandhar city in northern Punjab state for a festival in honour of the goddess Maa Maariamma.

Eight held in Punjab village over 'trial by fire' ritual

Devotees must fast for seven days before walking on the burning coals in the ancient Hindu practice aimed at appeasing the deity.

Three years ago a mother carrying her daughter slipped and fell on the hot surface, also during the Jalandhar ritual.

COMMENTS (7)

Tania | 7 years ago | Reply Atleast they shouldn't carry their children to such festivals!

nana | 7 years ago | Reply Philipinos nail themselves in ritualistic enacting of Crusification of Jesus, though there is no history of Jesus existing the way it is depicted and definitely not his crusification. Philipinos are praised for their devotion to be more Jerusalemi than Jerusalemian. In last ten years of ConAngrezi rule $1.7 Trillion were looted by Lutyen wannabe nonIndian ConAngrezis. That is equivalent to killing 220 Million Indians. The loot and plunder makes Indians in general very poor and so the level of spirituality also drops when your material existence is threatened. Let India produce 60% of World's GDP, just as it used to do in 1000AD and then rituals will disappear and pure spirituality will arrive.