Kerala devotees perform Bali Tarpanam rituals for Karkidaka Vavu

Thousands of devotees across Kerala gathered on Wednesday, August 12, to observe Karkidaka Vavu and perform Bali Tarpanam rituals to honor their ancestors. The ceremonies took place at various temples, beaches, and designated ritual centers starting in the early morning hours.

Prominent locations included the Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple, where rituals began around 2:30 am, as well as Varkala Papanasam Beach, Shankumugham Beach, and Thirunelly Temple in Wayanad. At beach locations, devotees were advised not to enter the sea due to strong waves, instead dropping ritual offerings wrapped in plantain leaves into the water from the shore.

To manage the large crowds, authorities implemented traffic restrictions in areas such as Thiruvallam and Varkala. Devaswom Boards provided special arrangements, including sheds, platforms, and parking facilities, to facilitate the rituals. Kerala Devaswoms Minister K Muraleedharan confirmed that preparations at the various centers were completed ahead of the event.