Thousands in Kerala offer ‘bali tharpanam' on Karkidaka Vavu Bali to honour ancestors and departed souls
In an overt blending of modernity and religious tradition, hundreds, including senior citizens, women and children, thronged beachfronts, riversides, and bathing ghats under an overcast sky, revering their ancestors and the recently dead by making offerings of rice and flowers on banana leaves.
Devotees offerring 'Bali' on the occasion of 'Karkidaka Vavu' at Shangumugham beach in Thiruvananthapuram. Balitharpanam is a ritual paying obeisance to the departed souls
Photo: @nirmalharindranpic.twitter.com/ChWL8IxT5W — The Hindu - Kerala (@THKerala) July 24, 2025
An army of priests guided the attendees through their motions, which also appeared to be a reassertion of life and remembrance over death.
The belief that propitiating the souls of the dead on the new moon day of the Malayalam month of Karkidakam ensures salvation for the deceased and peace for the living is the central theme of the ritual. A large segment of people offered Karkidaka Vavu Bali at their homes.
The Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Varkala Papanasam Beach, Thirumallavaram Temple in Kollam, Shanghumughom Beach and the Aluva Siva Temple are the critical focal points in the State for the festival.
At several beaches, lifeguards and police officers prevented people from venturing into the waist-deep water due to the rough seas and inclement weather.
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Thousands in Kerala offer ‘bali tharpanam' on Karkidaka Vavu Bali to honour ancestors and departed souls
Thousands of people honoured their dead by offering Karkidaka Vavu Bali in Kerala on Thursday (July 24, 2025). In an overt blending of modernity and religious tradition, hundreds, including senior citizens, women and children, thronged beachfronts, riversides, and bathing ghats under an overcast sky, revering their ancestors and the recently dead by making offerings of rice and flowers on banana leaves. Devotees offerring 'Bali' on the occasion of 'Karkidaka Vavu' at Shangumugham beach in Thiruvananthapuram. Balitharpanam is a ritual paying obeisance to the departed souls Photo: @ — The Hindu - Kerala (@THKerala) July 24, 2025 An army of priests guided the attendees through their motions, which also appeared to be a reassertion of life and remembrance over death. The belief that propitiating the souls of the dead on the new moon day of the Malayalam month of Karkidakam ensures salvation for the deceased and peace for the living is the central theme of the ritual. A large segment of people offered Karkidaka Vavu Bali at their homes. The Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Varkala Papanasam Beach, Thirumallavaram Temple in Kollam, Shanghumughom Beach and the Aluva Siva Temple are the critical focal points in the State for the festival. At several beaches, lifeguards and police officers prevented people from venturing into the waist-deep water due to the rough seas and inclement weather.
