Lakhs pay homage to ancestors by offering Karkadaka Vavu bali, pics

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Lakhs of people paid homage to their ancestors by offering bali on Karkadaka Vavu day. The believers started waiting at all the main rivers banks, temple ghats and sea shores across the state from last night. A heavy rush is witnessed in many places including Varkala, Thiruvallam and Aluva.

The bali tharpanam started at 2.30 am at the famous Thiruvallam Parasurama Swamy Temple. The offering started at Wayanad Thirunelli Temple at 3 am and in Aluva Manapuram at midnight. Meantime, the rituals started at Varkala Papanasam beach last evening itself. The offering started at Aluva Adwaithasramam at 4 am and at Tirunavaya Manappuram at 2 am.

This time the rituals are being held with security arrangements and by following green norms. It is believed that the Karkadaka Vavu bali tharpanam is performed for ancestors of three generations. Amavasi started from 7.30 pm last night.

As the bali tharpanam has to be performed before the sun reaches its peak, arrangements were made in all the major centres to end it by noon. All these places have special services of KSRTC. Bali tharpanam was performed at homes in the last two years due to the spread of Covid.