Vavulsavam 2013

This year's 'vav' will be  celebrated in the 'amavasi' day of Malayalam month 'Thulam', 3rd November 2013.

Wish you a happy Vav and Deepavali

KARKKIDAKA VAVU

 

The Bali Dharpanam ceremony falls in the month of ‘Karkkidakam’ (July-August) in a new moon day.

The Bali Dharpanam is performed under the guidance of an elderly person or priest. A pavithram (ring made of darbha grass), sesame (Ellu), cooked rice, Flowers, sandal paste, water and banana leaves are the important accompaniments needed for performing bali ritual.   Karkidaka Vavu bali is that almost all Hindus in Kerala perform Karkidakavavu Bali and conduct ancestral worship on this day.

According to the Hindu custom if a member in the family dies the younger ones in the family have to perform Bali (Pithru Dharpanam) to make the soul get eternal peace. Usually the Bali or Pitru Darpanam is performed calculating the date and nakshatra(star) on which the family member died. The Bali ritual is offered by men, women and children. You can do Dharpanam right in the comfort of your home

This is an offering to ones dearest dead souls for their redemption from sins and their peaceful life at heavens. As per Hindu mythology, it is the duty of the son to give good life to his parents when the parents are dead. This ritual signifies the children-parent limitless relationship, which is one of the tag lines that describes Indian family integrity. There are a lot of temples offer this ritual performance. Usually a temple with a river nearby is considered as the best venue for Bali Dharpanam.

We can observe ‘orikkal’, the single meal day; in the previous day. After bath and prayers, have simple vegetarian food. Avoid garlic. Eat rice meal only once.

Next day early morning after bath, take a plantain leaf and take a handful of rice and black sesame [Ellu] keep on the leaf and wet by sprinkling water. This we can do on the terrace or any open space if you are in city. But make sure dogs don’t eat it or anyone stamps on it. Crow or other birds may eat and is beleived to be auspecious. 

Pray and ask forgiveness to ancestors…..

The well known temples for this ritual offering are Aluva Lord Siva Temple, Thirunelly Mahavishnu Temple, Thirunavaya Nava Mukunda Temple, Varkala Janardhana Swami temple, Kalady Siva Temple, Kottiyur Siva Temple, Thiruvanchikulam Siva Temple, Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple etc. The ritual is performed in early morning in which the devotee undergoes certain traditional rituals with Vedic mantras reading and dips (3) in the holy water. The dip in the water signifies that he/she is washing out all the sins his dear dead soul made. There are some beaches in Kerala offers the ritual like that of Kozhikode beach, Chaliyam beach, Alappuzha beach, Papanasham beach and more.... 

 

Vavu, Bali and Vavubali

 

They are Velutha Vavu (Full Moon Day) and Karutha Vavu (No Moon Day or Amavasi) in every month. As per Sanathana Dharma, Vrutha (penance) is to be performed on these two days. Vavorikkal in which people observing fast on those days take only single meal. Normally rituals will be performed in the day time and a light meal will be taken after sunset. Makaravavu and Karkidakavavu are very special. Vavubali is performed on these days. The important Vavubali offering centres are Shangumukham beach in Thiruvananthapuram, Papanasam beach in Varkala, banks of river Periyar, Chaliyam beach, Varakkal and sandy shore of Bharathapuzha at Thirunavaya. The vavu which is observed after Sivarathri in Kumbhom (February-March) is also important.

The Penance is a function organized with special customs and practices. The upavasa (fasting) is performed to wipe out sins and attain blessings or moksha.

A bali is normally done immediately after a person dies and repeated every year on the moon sign of the demise day. Amavasi Vrutha is observed for the welfare of dead ancestors, parents and other relatives.  It is believed that by observing the vrat family will attain peace and prosperity with the blessings of ancestors.

 

The popular belief is that Pitrus (dead ancestors) receive the light of the moon on Amavasi night. Therefore the day is ideal for performing Shradh (shradham) Bathing in holy rivers and performing the rituals is highly meritorious.

For Tamilians, this Ancestral worship is known as Aadi Amasvasi which is also dedicated to the forefathers.
 

Please do let me know if there are inconsistencies in my collation of details about this subject, and help to rectify.