Where/when: Singapore: late October

In tribute to an Indian goddess who proved her purity by walking barefoot on a bed of scorching coals, the Singapore festival of Theemidhi (fire walk) is an incredible sight. Things kick-off at two in the morning when the men work themselves into a trance-like state and repeatedly walk across a four-metre bed of red-hot coals. Talk about feet of flames!

Freakiness factor: High - The expressions on the barefooted worshippers as they walk on the coals; they look as if they are peacefully sleeping.