Mangaluru: Hundreds of worshipers hurled burning palm fronds at one other while paying homage to goddess Durga at a temple in Kateel town, following an age-old practise.

To worship the goddess at Durgaparameshwari Temple in the town some 30 kilometres from here, bare-chested and dhoti-clad men tossed burning fronds at one other in the centuries-old fire-fighting rite known as 'Agni Kheli.'

Every year in the month of April, the "Thoothedhara" or "Agni Kheli" ceremony takes place as part of the temple's major celebration, which lasts for eight days.

The men are divided into two groups, facing each other, and they toss burning palm fronds at each other from a distance, as per the ceremony. Each man is allowed to toss five burning fronds at the group in order to hit as many individuals as possible.

Durgaparameshwari Temple, located on an islet in the middle of the river Nandini, is one of the oldest temples in Kateel, Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district.

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