Aluva: Elaborate arrangements have been made for Karkidaka Vavu, which falls on Tuesday, at the Aluva Manappuram on the banks of the Periyar near here.
About 15,000 devotees from across the state are expected to offer ‘bali tharpanam’ (paying obeisance to their ancestors) on the occasion.
The rituals will begin at 3.15 a.m. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has set up as many as 50 ‘balitharas’ on the banks of the river. Chief priest Mullappally Subramanian Namboodiri will initiate the ceremonies at the Sri Mahadeva Temple.
The construction of the bathing ghats have been completed. Apart from putting up fencing, warning boards cautioning people against foraying into the river in areas where it is deep beyond measure, will be installed, TDB officials informed.
‘Vavu Bali’ draws maximum number of pilgrims to the Manappuram followed by the Mahasivarathri celebrations.
The importance of ‘Karkidaka Vavu’ is that people can propitiate their ancestors even if they do not know the date and asterism of their dear one’s death.
This will be the first Karkidaka Vavu after the construction of the permanent foot bridge across the Periyar connecting Kottarakadavu and the Manappuram.
With the commissioning of the foot bridge, devotees coming from Perumbavoor or Moovattupuzha areas can now easily reach the Manappuram without travelling via Thottakkattukara.
According to the Meteorological Department forecasts, bad weather will not play spoilsport on this year’s Karkidaka Vavu day. Water levels in the river also remain low.
In the past, the Manappuram used to get completely submerged in water due to incessant rains during Karkidaka Vavu. There were instances of devotees offering ‘Vavu Bali’ from temporary wayside ‘balitharas’ due to floods.
Apart from a 200-member police team led by Rural SP P.N. Unniraja, Fire and Rescue Services personnel and divers will be deployed in the area. Medical services units will also be set up by the Health Department. Ambulances will be available for emergency services.
The KSRTC will operate special buses from main depots in Ernakulam to the Manappuram.
Anwar Sadath MLA and Devaswom Board member Ajay Tharayil reviewed the arrangements on Sunday.
At the Advaita Ashramam, established by Sree Narayana Guru, which is situated on the other side of the river, ‘Vavu Bali’ rituals will start at 5 a.m. About 2,000 people will be able to offer ‘bali’ simultaneously there. Around 20,000 devotees are expected to perform the rite of tharpanam this time, said Ashramam secretary Swami Sivaswaroopananda.