Everything you need to know about Karkidaka Vavu..

Karkidaka Vavu Bali also known as Karkidaka Vavu or Karkidakam Vavubali is an important Hindu ceremony which is carried out in the South Indian state of Kerala. It is observed on Amavasya (no moon day) in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (July-August) which is regarded as the final month of the Malayalam calendar. The ceremony is carried out in order to pay respect to and pray to ancestors and souls who have passed away in order to obtain their blessings and release. For Karkidaka Vavu Bali, people visit riverbanks, seashores, or other water bodies before sunrise to carry out numerous rituals.

Karkidaka Vavu Bali is regarded as a sacred observance to respect ancestors, ask for their blessings, and provide spiritual support to departed souls. It holds significant cultural and religious importance in the state of Kerala, where people believe that performing these rituals helps alleviate the sufferings of ancestors and ensures their well-being in the afterlife.

Karkidaka Vav is the day when sacrifices are made in holy shrines for the peace of the ancestors. It is believed that the Shraddhamootal performed on the day of Karkidaka Vav will be felt by the pithrs daily for a year. Karkidaka Vav is on the third Monday of July 17 this year.

Karkidaka Vavu is dedicated to all the creatures and animals that we depended on, including those who were born in this world in the race of our parents, those who are directly and indirectly related to us, those who served us in our previous two lives, those who were dependent on us, and friends who assisted us in many births.

Karkidaka Vav Prayer…
"Abraham, Ya Pitruvamsa Jata...........Akshayamupathishtati.."

Meaning:
While holding it close to the chest, one invokes it from within oneself while performing the sacrifice

One invokes one’s own consciousness and merges it in God. This ritual is a ritual that takes our consciousness from its limited state to the universe. This is the goal of all spiritual paths.

Sacrifices are made taking into account the entire paternal line. Uttarayana is devoted to divine matters and Dakshinayana to paternal matters. The first black vav in Dakshinaya is the Karkitaka vav.

Vav is the time when the Earth, Moon and Sun are in the same line as during an eclipse. A black hole is the Earth’s shadow falling on the Moon. It is related to Agni, Soma and Surya Mandals in our body. Since the middle pingala spinal nerves are connected to these mandalas in the body, the change that is made in the universe also occurs in the body itself. During this time energy flows through the spinal cord, which affects the consciousness field of humans. Not only that, the moon has a connection with the mind. Moon or mind is Jata, and this change in Moon has an effect on human mind and consciousness level. This is why it is said that sadhana should be done during eclipses.

Here is a summary of the ritual as a whole:

Preparations: The day before the event, people prepare themselves by observing a fast and adhering to particular rituals and purity rules. Prior to the rite, they may also take a dip in the sacred river early in the morning.

Material gathering: Devotees gather the necessary goods for the ceremony, which often include traditional offerings like sesame seeds, rice, flowers, turmeric powder, sacred grass (darbha), black gram (uzhunnu), and a traditional offering vessel called a “Bali Para” or “Bali Koodam.”

Offering Rituals: The devotees offer prayers and seek the blessings of their ancestors at the designated water body. They carry out the Bali Tharpanam rite and chant mantras to call upon the spirits of the deceased. Making rice balls (pinda) with sesame seeds and offering them into the water as a symbolic gesture of feeding and appeasing ancestors’ souls is part of the practice.

Homage and Remembrance: While performing the rituals, individuals take a moment to remember their deceased ancestors, express gratitude, seek forgiveness, and offer prayers for their well-being and liberation.

Other Rituals: During Karkidaka Vavu Bali, some people also do other rituals like “Pithru Tharpanam” and “Nagabali.” A ceremonial offering called Pithru Tharpanam is made to please the gods of the ancestors, while a ritual called Nagabali is done to please serpents and obtain their blessings.

It’s crucial to remember that different families or communities in Kerala may have distinct rituals and customs, therefore it’s best to seek the advice of a proficient priest or informed individual to carry out the ceremonies properly.

The Hindus in the state of Kerala undertake ceremonies known as Karkidaka Vavu, or "Karkidaka Vavu Bali," in memory of their deceased ancestors. This day, which falls during the Malayalam calendar month of "Karkidakam," is also referred to as "Vavu Bali." The date comes between July and August if one uses the Gregorian calendar. At the Karkidaka Masam, rituals are held in honor of deceased grandparents, parents, siblings, kids, and other family members on "Karutavavu," or "no moon day." The "Shraddham" rites are to be performed on the seaside or along riverbanks. The no moon day, or Amavasi, is referred to as "Vavu" and the "Shraddh" rites performed for the souls of the dead are known as "Bali" in the Indian state of Kerala; thus, the term "Vavu Bali." On the "Nakshatra," or star, the individual passed away, the "Bali" ritual for the deceased ancestors is also observed. However, it is said that "Bali," which is conducted on "Karutavavu" (a day without a moon) in the month of "Karkidakam," is more auspicious and that deceased people's souls are more easily placated on this day. Karkidaka Vavu Bali can be compared to other Indian states' "Mahalaya Shraddh Paksha" or "Pitru Paksha Shraddh."

Contact Us