Thousands offer bali on karkidaka vavu

Thiruvananthapuram: Thousands of people offered `bali' to propitiate their forefathers on the occasion of `Karkidaka vavu' on Friday.

Many people were camping at the nearest rivers or seashores and temple ghats to perform the Bali Tharpan early in the morning. These holy places witnessed heavy rush even from the early morning hours.

A large number of people flocked at Shangumugham temple in Thiruvannathapuram, Parasuraman temple in Thiruvalla, Pappanasini in Varkala, Manappuram in Aluva, Thiruvilwamala temple in Palakkad, Thirunavayya in Tirur, Varakkal in Kozhikode and Thirunelli in Wayanad.

Vavubali, takes place in the month of Karkidakam is an important ritual in Kerala. People perform the annual ritual in memory of the departed souls. The ritual is often held as a mass event in various parts of the state.