Karkidaka Vavu: TDB completes arrangements for Bali tharpanam

The Hindu

5 days ago

Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has made elaborate arrangements in its temples to facilitate smooth 'bali tharpanam' for devotees during Karkidaka Vavu day.
Addressing media persons in Kottayam, Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan said preparations for this year's Karkidaka Vavu bali tharpanam were complete at all main centres. The performance of ritual will be held from 2:30 a.m. on July 24 to 12:42 a.m. the next day.
'Bali tharpanam ceremonies are being held in more than 100 temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board, including the Thiruvallam Parasuramaswamy Temple, Shanghumughom beach, Varkala, Thirumullavaram and sand bed at Aluva. All the preparations have already been completed in collaboration with various departments including KSRTC, police, Fire and Rescue Services, and Revenue,' he said.
Steps have been taken to ensure that devotees should not be subjected to financial exploitation under any circumstances.
Out of the 20 groups of the TDB, 15 groups have bali tharpanam centres. The rate for offering bali tharpanam in temples under the Board will be ₹100, which is inclusive of all expenses. The rate for the ritual 'thilahoma' inside temples will be ₹65. Deputy Devaswom Commissioners have been appointed as special officers in important temples.
TDB is currently carrying out activities such as providing basic facilities for devotees in temples where bali tharpanam is being held, constructing temporary pavilions, erecting barricades, cleaning the temple and its surroundings and deputing priests required for the tharpanam. A special officer is also responsible for coordinating these activities at each location.
Services of scuba teams have been ensured at all the dangerous piers. A decision has also been taken to depute more lifeguards at Shanghumughom. The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has informed that arrangements will be made for cleaning activities at the places where bali tharpanam is held within its limits.
The board appoints priests and co-priests as required inside the temples, mandapams and piers, where bali tharpanam ceremonies are held. The board has instructed the respective temple devaswoms to provide the necessary items for the ritual, distribute them, assign staff for cleaning, etc.