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The Periyachi Poojai marks the start of the Firewalking festivities. Central to the firewalking festival are the Pandavas, Draupathi and the Kurushetram war. Just like how the Pandavas prayed to their ancestral goddess Periyachi (kali’s avatar) before the Kurushetram war, Periyachi is honored before the start of all the firewalking festival events. Prayers are offered to Periyachi to seek her blessings for a good and smooth running of the firewalking festival events.
Following the karagam procession is the agni kaapirai. The first known poojai for Periyachi was executed by Madurai Veeran. As such, the pandaram (head priest) dresses up as Madurai veeran, carrying a sukkumanthadi (mace). In a bid to purify himself and the temple grounds, pandaram beats himself with the thennampalai (cluster of coconut flowers) and goes on a procession around the temple.
After which, the pamdram receives the agni chatti (fire pot) at the Sri Mariamman sanctum. It is paraded around the temple and eventually dedicated to Periyachi amman. This is followed by a padaiyal poojai for Periyachi.