Three years ago, a mother carrying her daughter slipped and fell on the hot surface, also during the Jalandhar ritual. The father was walking barefoot with his son Kartik in his arms on the red-hot embers when he lost his balance and fell during the ritual on Sunday, according to a source. A six-year-old boy was rushed to hospital with serious burn injuries after his father dropped him on hot coals during a ritual here, a doctor said on Monday. Devotees must fast for seven days before walking on the burning coals in the ancient Hindu practice aimed at appeasing the deity. I think it will take at least five to seven days for their wounds to heal,” Mr. Singh said.

Source: The Hindu June 14, 2016 00:45 UTC