Pune, Oct. 31 : Scores of devotees jumped onto heaps of thorns to appease Lord Shiva to celebrate the annual ''thorns festival'' at a Pune temple.

According to devotees, the ritual would please the god of destruction and he will fulfil their wishes.

“I am an ardent believer of Lord Shiva, all the devotees come here to offer prayers and jump onto the heap of thorns, in order to appease the lord. We don''t feel the pain of the thorns stuck to our bodies because the belief is so strong that is supersedes the pain," said Sashikant Nigade, a devotee.

He added that none has ever got any burn or needed any medical treatment till now.

"I feel no pain while jumping onto the heap of thorns; it is our belief in Lord Shiva that compels us to jump onto the bed of thorns. The thorn gets removed on its own. I perform this ritual every year and I consider myself lucky to have a chance to roll on the bed of thorns," said Dilip Shankar, another devotee.

He added that he had been performing this unique ritual for twenty-five years.

This festival holds significance for the locals who say that over 20,000 devotees from across the country visit this temple on this day. (ANI)