KARKIDAKA VAVU :

KARKIDAKA VAVU :



Every Hindu is fortunate to be born into the world’s richest tradition, the oldest surviving culture, and is a heir to “the jewel of the world’s spiritual wisdom.

Unlike other religions that define themselves on faith, Hinduism is the science of the mind, management of life and invitation to seek and identify the spiritual essence in your true self.

It urges you to discard fear and suffering and use your inherent wisdom and power as qualifications to uplift yourself.

To attain this several paths have been shown, be it the colorful customs, the rigorous rituals or the profound scriptures.

Despite the multiplicity of the festivals, customs and rituals the essence of Hinduism remains uncorrupt, deeply rooted in its scriptures.

Karkidaka Vavu Bali or Vavubali Tharpanam is an important ritual observed by Hindus in Kerala in the month of karkidakam (mid July to mid August).

In 2014, the date of Karkidaka Vavu Bali is July 26. People offer ‘bali’ to the departed souls of ancestors on this day.


The ‘bali’ – a form of ritualistic homage – is offered on the first Amavasi of Dakshinayanam. This is the no moon day in the month of Karkidakam.


On this day, thousands of people gather on the riverbanks and beaches to offer ‘bali.’

Temples and religious organizations make elaborate arrangements for the ritual.

It is believed that the souls of dead ancestors attain ‘moksha’ when ‘Vavu Bali’ is offered.

The Vavu Bali is performed under the guidance of an elderly person or priest.

Darbha (a type of long grass), pavithram (ring made of darbha grass), sesame (Ellu), cheroola
(a special herb), cooked rice, water and banana leaves are the important accompaniments needed for performing bali ritual.

A lot of flexibility is shown in the ritual and the items needed.


The ‘bali’ ritual is done on a banana leaf and it is finally taken to the river or sea and the person who offered the bali dips in the water along with the offering and leaves it in the water.

In northern part of Kerala, people believe that the dead ancestors pay visit to homes on the Karkidaka Vavu day.


Some the important places and temples to offer Vavu Bali – Thirunelli, Varkala Papanasam,

Thirunavaya, Sri Sundarekhsa Temple Kannur, Thrikunnapuzha,

Thiruvillavumala, Shanghumukam Trivandrum, Aranamula, Thiruvallom, Kollam

Thirumulavaram and Aluva.


Important temples on the river banks are ideally chosen for offering Vavu Bali.


Beyond the ritualistic performances it is important to understand its profound meaning.

Srimad Bhagavatham says at the time of death the subconscious mind of a person with its karmic structure (as determined by his thoughts, character, behaviour, knowledge, ego etc.) is removed from the body and becomes a subtle, disembodied existence.

Depending on the awareness or subtleness of the disembodied mind it gets attracted or drawn to different energy levels in space. The more aware the mind the more pleasantness or ecstasy it experiences in this state, often referred to as heaven.

If you die in misery you keep a certain level of unpleasantness in your subtle existence called hell. Thus there are several layers of heaven and hell.

After sometime, however, often in its attempt to acquire a new body to complete its Karmic cycle (sanchita karma) the disembodied mind associates with a sperm. (This stay in the sperm is called pitru loka or being with a potential father).

Then it moves on to acquire a new body by uniting with an egg.

It is important in this context that we observe the pula for 12-15 days and during the time offer pindam to the departed soul with a prayer that it gets a blessed life and worthy parents.

If we remember the female reproductive cycle it is about 12-15 days in a month that the sperm has a possibility of acquiring an egg and a new life.

Thus, all our customs have a linked scientific reason and it is important to realize them as we perform the rituals.


It is our duty to pay homage to our forefathers for their sacrifices to give us a life and living. In doing so, we will in turn be revered and respected.

For it is said  “Dharmo Rakshati Rakshita.” (He who protects Dharma will in turn be protected
by Dharma).

Swami Udit Chaithanya