Thousands of devotees across Keralam began offering Pithru Tharpanam (ancestral homage) in the early hours today on the auspicious occasion of Karkkidaka Vavu.
The new moon day in the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam is considered the most sacred day in Hindu tradition to perform rites for departed souls, seeking their eternal peace and spiritual liberation. The rituals started between 3.30 am and 5 am in most of the temples.
Kerala Devaswoms Minister K Muraleedharan said that preparations are complete at the ‘tharpanam’ centres under the various Devaswom Boards.
The minister also said, in a statement, that instructions have been issued to the Boards to make all necessary arrangements for the devotees to perform the ritual without any hindrances.
He said that as the government’s goal was to provide the maximum possible facilities to devotees, a ministerial-level review meeting was held in June for this purpose.
The minister said that directions were given to ensure that lapses which occurred last year at Kollam Thirumullavaram, due to lack of adequate facilities, were not repeated.