SOUTH AFRICA, March 13, 2025 (MSN): Every year, hundreds of devotees gather to test their faith and courage by walking barefoot over burning embers in the ancient firewalking ceremony at the Umbilo Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam, also known as the Cato Manor Second River Temple. Nestled on a hill amongst lush vegetation in Cato Manor, this sacred site is home to Africa’s oldest Hindu temple and the birthplace of firewalking in South Africa. It was once the center of a bustling community until apartheid forced them away and now devotees are scattered but many travel from as far as Phoenix and Shallcross to attend the temple’s various programs. This year the temple celebrates its 150th anniversary, and major renovations have just been completed ensuring the preservation of its rich history and spiritual significance. Declared a national monument in 1980, the temple stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and tradition.
According to the resident temple priest, Guru Dhanasargren Govender, Umbilo Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam is also known as the mother temple because it was the first to start the firewalking tradition in Durban which drew large numbers of devotees every year. He said Cato Manor used to be a bustling Indian area and the temple played a central role in the lives of many people. However, once the community was forced to move, the area became like a ghost town, but there is still a steady number of devotees that attend regularly. Today the temple is a well known tourist attraction and people come from as far afield as Germany to see it. Krishna Reddy the chairman of the temple is known as the firebreaker, the first one to walk across the coals every year. He has been doing it for at least 25 years and says it’s a passion. “There is nothing that goes through your mind. You just focus, it’s the best feeling in the world.” He says the preparation in the run up to the festival is vital. During the festival, the murti of Draupadiammen (Goddess) is placed at the fire pit and participants walk towards it. “It takes a lot of fasting and meditation and self-control before the festival. So, the mother (Draupadiammen) is placed there and all you do is look at her. She tells you, ‘come’ and you just walk across. You do feel it, but it’s not very bad. I never got scalded in all the years.”
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https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/celebrating-150-years-of-firewalking-at-africa-s-oldest-hindu-temple/ar-AA1AMf71
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