Fact Check: Priests in Viral Fire Video Performing Agni Keli, Not Fighting Over Money

Meanwhile, a video showing temple priests throwing burning torches at each other is going viral on social media, with the claim that they are fighting due to a dispute over the distribution of donation money among themselves. The video is shared with the caption in Hindi: “दान पेटी से हिसा नहीं मिला तो आपस में ही भिड़ गए I मंदिर में सारा मामला दान दक्षिणा का है,” which, when translated, claims that the priests are fighting with each other because they did not receive a fair share of the donation money. It further implies that temples are all about donation money.

Here is the archive link of the claim.

Fact Check:

The claim is false. The video shows a ritual from a temple in Mangaluru. It does not depict a fight among priests over donation money.

When we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google, we found several similar videos showing priests throwing burning torches at each other in April 2025. We found a Facebook video published by DDnewsLive on April 21, 2025, with the caption: “#Karnataka: Devotees throw burning palm fronds at each other as part of the annual festival 'Thootedhara' or 'Agni Keli' at the Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple in Mangaluru.”

A longer video showing the ritual in detail was published by India Today on April 21, 2025, titled ‘Thootedara’: A Ritual Where Devotees Play With Fire, Celebrated In Mangaluru's Kateel Temple.

According to a report published by Vijaykarnataka.com, Kateel Kshetra in the Dakshina Kannada district is renowned as a holy place. Kateel is the seat of Sri Shakti and is steeped in mythology. Every year, thousands gather to witness the Thootedara Agni Keli, held on the last day of the festival as part of the Kateel Sri Durga Parameshwari Jatra Mahotsava.

Thootedara is a ritual in which devotees throw fire at each other by twisting palm leaves. It is believed that this game is performed because Goddess Durga Parameshwari, also known as Jala Durga, enjoyed it. The tradition has been followed since ancient times as a form of service to the deity. When the village faces difficult circumstances, this ritual is also performed as an offering.

This Thootedara Agni Keli game, symbolizing the heritage of Tulu Nadu, is performed only by villagers from Attur and Kodettur. No one from outside these two villages can participate. Most villagers actively take part in this ritual.According to a report in the Times of India, the burning palm fronds are thrown at opposing groups, not at individuals. It is performed after the Brahmarathotsava and Avabhrita Snana of the deity. The entire ritual lasts only about 15 minutes, after which the villagers return to the temple.

Hence, the viral video does not show a fight among temple priests over donation money; it captures the Thootedara ritual that takes place annually in April at the Durga Parameshwari Temple in Kateel, Mangaluru, Karnataka.