THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Lakhs of people in Kerala have offered bali in remembrance of their ancestors on the day of Karkidaka Vavu.There is a huge rush of people in the places adjacent to various temples and specially prepared places to offer 'Bali Tharpanam'.People flocked to Thirunelli temple in Wayanad, which is famous for 'Bali Tharpanam', Thirunavaya Navamukunda temple in Malappuram, Manappuram adjacent to Aluva Shiva temple, Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple in the capital district, Aruvippuram Shiva temple and Varkala Papanasam.

People started offering sacrifices at Varkala Papanasam beach from 10.40 pm last night. The ceremonies started at 2.30 am at Thiruvallam parasurama swamy temple and from 3 am at Wayanad Thirunelli temple. The ceremony started at 4 am at Aluva Manappuram. Bali Tharpanam started at Aluva Advaita Ashram at 4:30 in the morning. The ceremonies started at 2 in the morning 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 centres. 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