THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Devotees have started offering sacrifices in remembrance of their ancestors by today's dawn, the day of Karkidaka Vavu. By last night itself, all the main bathing areas were crowded. This year the first day of Karkidakam month has coincided with the New Moon as well.

The ceremonies started at 2:30 AM at the famous Thiruvallam Parasurama Swamy Temple and from 3:00 AM at the Wayanad Thirunelli Temple. The ceremony started at 4 am at Aluva Manappuram. The rituals prior to Bali Tarpanam started at the Varkala Papanasam beach by last night at 10:30 pm itself. At Alwaye Advaita Ashram, the rituals started around 4:30 in the morning. The ceremonies started at 2 am at Thirunavaya Manappuram.

According to astrology, the first day of the Karkidakam month starts at 5 am today. Sunrise time is 6 am. New Moon started at 10:10 last night and will continue till 12 tonight. Since it is best to perform the Bali Tharpanam before the sun reaches its zenith, arrangements have been made in such a way that the ceremonies are completed before noon.

KSRTC operates special bus services to all major Bali Tharpana centers. For those coming to Bali Tharpanam at Thirunelli, KSRTC has started circular service from Kattikulam, 21 km away from the destination. Private vehicles are restricted from Kattikulam to Thirunelli.

It is believed that the Karkidaka Vavu Bali Tharpanam is performed for ancestors of three generations. Those who performed Bali Tharpanam had fasted yesterday after eating only one meal of rice food.