KARKKIDAKA VAAVU ( a unique custom in KERALA )

Bali tharppanam ( offering to river )
Vaavu bali ( offering food and chanting mantras )
Sadya ( Traditional Kerala meals )

Karkkidaka vaavu is considered to be a special day for the Hindu people of Kerala.It is the day in which the Keralites pay their tribute,respect and responsibility to their ancestors.In this day people offer rice,flowers,water etc to their dead ancestors.All these is done to ensure that their ancestors get 'moksha'( eternal peace or salvation ).Keralites believe that if this is not done,their ancestors souls would wander among different worlds above earth searching for eternal peace.This is basically a hindu ritual.It is known that Buddhists also perform this ritual.There are many rituals and beliefs attached to this special day.

It is believed that bali tharppanam can be done by a man whose father is dead.On that day people wake up early morning,bath and go mainly to the Shiva temples closer to rivers.The main places where people gather for bali tharppanam are Periyar,Pampa,Aluva,Thiruvallam,Thirunelli etc.Near the bank of rivers people offer rice,flowers,water etc on plantain leaves under the supervision of a 'Thanthri' ( preist).Special mantras are repeated and the offerings along with the plantain leaves are left in the river.Aftr the bali tharppanam people return to their home and have 'sadhya'( special Kerala meals including payasam(a type of sweet drink)).But before eating,a full sadhya arranged on a plantain leaf is given to the crows.The person who has done the bali tharppanam will clapp with the wet hands and invite crows to come and eat the sadhya.Only after the crows have eaten,the family members will eat.The family members beleve that thier ancestors soul come to eat in the form of 'bali kakka' (fully black crow[ not the common crow] ).

There are many beliefs related to this custom.They are,

The main belief is that , for the dead people one month is one day.Thus for them one year will be twelve days.So according to Hindu belief,those who live in this world should provide food for their dead ancestors after twelve days(for us one year).Thus every year on this day we provide food to our dead ancestors,so that they can attain moksha.

Another belief is that after the death ,the souls will be taken to 'Pithruloka' (world of dead souls), which lies in between our world and many other worlds like 'Devaloka' (heaven),Hell etc.Thus from the Pithruloka the souls can be reborn or wander about in other worlds for moksha.Thus by providing food,we can avoid their agony of rebirth and give their souls a chance to rest in peace forever near the God.

Another belief is that the souls can eat only through water.This is the main reason to offer their foods in rivers.According to Hindu belief ,the human bodies are made of earth,water,air,fire etc.

What ever be the beliefs,I think remembering our dead ancestors only bring good to our struggling souls on the earth.Thus this event represents a glimpse of the great culture of Kerala.This also reminds us that,through culture,belief and religion man can be made to do good things , which he may otherwise forget in his fast life.