Lakhs offer Vavu Bali in Kerala to their dead

Lakhs of Hindus in Kerala offered Bali (tributes) to their departed dear ones on Wednesday, the new moon day of the Karkataka month of the Malayalam calendar. Bali Tharpan was performed at several places on banks of rivers and brooks, sea shores and other venues specially prepared for the ritual.

Heavy rush for performing Bali Tharpan was witnessed at the famous Bali Ghats like Papanasam in Varkala, Papanasini in Thirunelli, Thirunavaya in Malappuram, Bharatakhandam on the banks of River Bharathappuzha, the banks of River Periyar in Aluva and the beach at Thrikkunnappuzha, Alappuzha.

The Vavu (new moon) of Karkataka is known as the most appropriate day for remembering the dead and to make offerings to them. According to the belief of Hindus in Kerala, the Bali Tharpan performed on Karkataka Vavu would reach 21 past generations.

Thousands of people had reached the Sankhummukham beach and Thiruvallam temple in Thiruvananthapuram for the Bali rituals. Over 200 Parikarmis (associate priests) led the people through the ritual on the scores of specially prepared Balitharas on the banks of River Periyar at Aluva near Kochi

The premises of the famous Nava Mukunda temple on the Thirunavaya sand banks on River Bharathappuzha in Malappuram district saw heavy rush of people who had thronged the Bali Ghats for offering rice, gingili, flower and water to their departed dear ones.

Another important place for Bali Tharpan on River Bharathappuzha was Bharathakhandam at Pambadi near Thiruvilwamala. Thousands also reached other spots like Cheruthuruthy on River Bharathappuzha for the ritual. Heavy rush was also seen on the banks of the Papanasini river in the forests of Thirunelli in Wayanad district.

Beaches at Thrikkunnappuzha in Alappuzha, Chavakkad in Thirssur, Payyambalam in Kannur and other places also saw heavy rush of people reaching for Bali Tharpan. Apart from these places, several villages had set up own Bali Ghats on the banks of small brooks and canals.