Observed annually in Bandel (Hooghly), the Vel Vel Festival celebrates Lord Murugan, the Tamil god of war, with a dramatic series of rituals that reflect intense faith and discipline. The procession begins with ritual bathing in a pond, symbolizing purification. Next, devotees undergo body piercing—tongues, cheeks, or backs—with metal spears, expressing penance and devotion.
Photo story: Vel Vel Festival in Bandel
The streets then echo with devotional chants of “Vel Vel”, energizing the atmosphere as participants carry decorated chariots in vibrant processions. Clad in colorful attire, they dance and drum their way through the localities, creating a moving spiritual spectacle.
The rally concludes with the most striking ritual—running barefoot through fire. This fiery finale represents the triumph of faith over pain, and the spiritual cleansing of body and soul.
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