Thousands offer 'bali tharpanam' to ancestors in Kerala

Thousands of people performed 'bali tharpanam" ritual, paying homage to their ancestors on the auspicious 'karkkidaka vavu' day on Wednesday along the banks of rivers, temple ghats and beaches across Kerala.

Cutting across age and gender barriers, people thronged beaches and river banks in large numbers since early morning to perform the age-old ritual.

According to Hindu belief, departed souls attain "moksha" (emancipation) if "bali' is offered on "karkkidaka vavu", the new moon day in July-August months.

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the state's apex temple body, respective district administrations and police have made elaborate arrangements to help people offer 'bali tharpanam' at important places such as Aluva sandbank in Ernakulam district, Papanasam in nearby Varkala and Shangumugham, Thiruvallom and Aruvippuram here.

Steps have also been taken to observe green protocol in many places for offering 'bali'.

Non-degradable articles including plastic water bottles, carry bags, aluminum foil and so on have been banned at the ritual centers, officials said.

Heavy rush was witnessed on the sandbank of Periyar river in Aluva, where over 90 platforms have been erected for people to perform the ritual.

Last year, the ritual was performed under heavy security arrangements in the state as most of the rivers were overflowing due to August floods.