Thiruvananthapuram | Thousands of people, of varying ages and genders, from the Hindu community on Thursday performed the 'Bali tharpanam' ritual, and paid homage to their ancestors at various temples across Kerala on the auspicious occasion of 'Karkidaka Vavu'.
People thronged riverbanks and seashores since the wee hours to perform the ritual.
Aluva Shiva temple near Kochi, Thirunelli temple in Wayanad District, Parasurama temple at Thiruvallam near here, Papanasam beach at Varkala and Thirunavaya Navamukunda temple on the bank of the Bharathapuzha in Malappuram district are the prominent places where thousands usually visit on this day to pay homage to their ancestors.
At Thirunavaya Navamukunda temple, people arrived in large numbers in the wee hours to perform the ritual.
One of them told a TV channel that, "unlike in the past, extensive arrangements have been made by the temple authorities for the ritual".
According to Hindu belief, departed souls attain "moksha" (liberation) if the ritual is performed on 'Karkidaka Vavu' day.
Schools and government offices are closed across the state on this occasion