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Hindu Devotees Fight Fire with Fire to Appease Goddess Durga For Agni Keli

One Hindu religious holiday takes the phrase 'fighting fire with fire' to a whole other level. Hundreds of Hindu devotees gathered to celebrate Agni Keli, also known as the 'fire fight' in the Indian city of Kateel on Thursday, by throwing burning palm fronds at one another in order to appease Hindu goddess Durga. The annual eight-day celebration takes place every April at the Kateel Durga Parameswari Temple. Devotees split into two groups and face off from a distance of between 30 to 50 feet. The fiery action attracts thousands of spectators, who watch as the torch-wielding men try to set each other ablaze. Each participant only gets 5 palm fronds to throw, so the entire spectacle lasts only about 15 minutes. If any of the worshippers does suffer any burns, they are immediately sprayed with the holy waters of Kumkumarchane. The Hindu goddess Durga, also known as Devi and Shakti, is the goddess of war whose main aim is to fight the demonic forces which threaten the innocent, punishing those who commit injustice. The fronds of Agni Keli are thought to symbolize the righteous anger of Durga and her battle against evil.