Manama: Indian expats pay homage to their ancestors as per Kerala Hindu traditions.
On Karkidaka Vavu, thousands throng temples across Kerala seeking ‘moksha’ for ancestors.
Today is Karkidaka Vavu (the new moon in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam), a day observed in the Hindu religion to remember and seek peace for the departed souls.
According to Hindu belief, departed souls attain “moksha” (liberation) if the ritual is performed on ‘Karkidaka Vavu’ day. Every year, this day witnesses thousands thronging temples across Kerala, where ‘bali tharpanam’, a ritual that is performed to propitiate one’s ancestors, is held.
According to Hindu Kerala tradition, people observe a fast on the day before performing the ritual. Priests guide the people who are performing the rites. Taking a dip in the sacred water before and after the ritual is necessary. Only men typically conduct the Karkidaka Vavubali ritual. However, in some places, women also take part in this ritual.
Mata Amritanandamayi Seva Samiti Bahrain organised PITRU TARPAN for the Bahrain Expatriate Community, where more than 200 devotees paid homage to their ancestors today, July 17, 2023.
Sudheer Thirunilath, the MASS Bahrain Coordinator, along with Kizhoor Muthedath Kesavan Namboothiri, Manoj, Harimohan, Sreejith, Shaji, Praveen, Vinayak, Vismaya, Akhil, Raju, and Anish, formed a dedicated team that coordinated the pithru tharpanam at Bahrain Centre this year.
Five years before, MASS Bahrain used to conduct the Pitru Tarpan at Asry Beach; usually more than 1000 devotees attended. During the pandemic, there were a lot of restrictions on public programmes and gatherings. The scenario is changing; people have started attending public gatherings.
