Karkidaka Vavu Bali

Venue : All Over Kerala. Karkida, the last month of Malayalam calendar which falls in July- August has some religious significance for Hindus. Karkidaka Vavu Bali, also called Bali, is the sacrificial ritual performed in memory of the departed souls of ancestors. On the day of vavu or Amavasi (no moon day) people belonging to the Hindu religion gather on the riverbanks and beaches to offer bali. Varkala Papanasam beach is also one of the major religious destinations on the day. People believe that the departed souls attain `moksha(liberartion) if the ritualistic homage is performed on Karkidaka vavu. Thousands of people throng the beach on that day offering ritual poojas with darbha (a type of grass), pavithram – the ring made of sacred grass, sesame, and herbs like cheroola. Other ingredients of the pooja – cooked rice, water, etc. will also be placed on a banana leaf before commencing the ritual. Priests from the ancient Janardhana temple help people perform the ritual. Men, women and children offer Bali to the ancestors. Men wear only a dhoti during the ritual and the offerings done on the banana leaf will be finally immersed in the waters of the sea.