THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It has been a practice for many to offer non-vegetarian food and liquor to their ancestors as a part of Karkidaka Vavu Bali observance which involves paying homage to their souls. The ceremonies start too early and end too late based on the wish of the devotees and queues at temples. As per experts, this customisation is not really the right way of going about it.
“The souls do not drink liquor. According to the belief, they require rice and sesame which will quench their hunger and thirst respectively,” said Praveen Potti, a priest at Thiruvallm. As per the Devasom Board, Balitharpanam rituals which will be held on Tuesday should start at at 3.15 am and end before 2 pm based on the directives by astrologers.
It is believed that the devas are most active during the Karikidaka vavu and the prayer for the souls will be heard during this day. “Sradham can start any time in the morning when the sound of crows can be heard,” said Mr Praveen. According to another priest KG Ambi, if Karkidaka bali coincides with Punartham day of the Malayalam calendar, one can pay respects even on the next day.
However, on Tuesday it will fall on Pooyam day. “Vavubali happens only on Punartham, Pooyam or Aayilyam days of the Malayalam calendar,” he said. Most Trivandrumites believe that there is no place more auspicious than Thiruvallam Parasurama temple to carry out Balitharpanam rituals.
Some believe – and there is a debate on this – that the annual Balitharpanam need not be observed if a person had at least once conducted Balitharpanam at Rameshwaram or Thirunelli at Wayanad. Vennimala temple at Kottayam is believed to be the first place where Vavubali ceremonies took place and later it was emulated at places like Thiruvallam and Varkala.
