temple festival in
Udappu,
Sri Lanka in
Singapore, 1913 During the period of the festival, scenes from Mahabharata are enacted by the devotees and drama troupes. A week before the fire walking they perform prayers to
Periyachi who is one of the most important deities of
Mariamman’s entourage. The grand prayer session is held to request her blessings upon the devotees and that no unpleasant incidents should happen during the festival. The second event is a symbolic grand
marriage ceremony conducted between
Arjuna and Draupadi. Following this is probably the most important ritual: a simulation of the sacrifice of
Hijra, which was done before the Mahabharata war to ensure success to the Pandavas. The simulated ritual does not involve human sacrifice. However, studies have found that the prolonged suffering involved in this and similar rituals can result in feelings of euphoria for participants, an effect similar to the marathon "runners high". ==Manappakam Kanni Amman Kovil==