IT was a prayer with a difference as a seven-month old baby was put on a bed of broken bottles and then on knives as a test of faith.
People who gathered at the Mahamaha Bhadra Kaali Mandir in Vuci, Nausori last weekend were amazed at what they witnessed.
Dharam Raj Chetty, the temple priest, said 30 devotees participated in the annual prayers at the temple, with the youngest being seven months old Shivan Suruj Mal.
"We didn't have the firewalking but devotees walked on a bed of broken bottles and 23 cane knives as a test of faith," he said.
"About two and a half 50 kilogram bags of broken bottles were laid on the ground and devotees walked over it."
"A seven-month old baby was also put on the broken bottles and he just moved from one side to the other and was unhurt like the other devotees."
Mr Chetty said the baby was also put on the knives.
Asked about the reason for the baby participating in the ritual, he said, "Our prayers are strengthened by having a baby participate in the rituals."
"The baby's parents willingly agreed for him to be a part of the annual prayers at the temple."
"Like in other years, no one was hurt by walking on the broken bottles and the cane knives." Mr Chetty said devotees also put hot coals filled in pots on their heads and walked around the temple premises.
He said such rituals had been performed at the temple for the past 23 years.
"I'm happy that the prayers were completed without any hiccups like always and we are looking forward to the next year now," he said.