Thiruvananthapuram: Ananthapuri has geared up for Vaavubali and the believers can start offering 'bali' to their dead ancestors from 2.30 a.m. on Saturday. Due to increased sea erosion, there will be restrictions along beaches in the district for the ceremony.
At the most auspicious venue of Thiruvallom, the Parasuram temple nada will open by 2 a.m. The offering can extend up to 11.15 a.m. Around 800 people can offer bali at a time at Shangumugham that has been devoid of its beach. Up to 4000 people can offer bali at Thiruvallam. Around 25 priests, 50 assistant priests and 250 helpers will be present at the bathing ghat which will have 200 showers, officials said.
There will be restrictions for devotees at Papanasam beach at Varkala where they will be allowed to enter sea only at specific zones. At Aruvikkara, breakfast will be provided to an estimated 10,000 people who will come to pay Sradham. Trade fair was also in progress here and the local panchayats have made elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims.
Various temples at Kadinamkulam, Thrikkannapuram, Vellayani, Karamana, Keraladityapuram, Kaladi and Thrivikramamangalam will have facilities to offer Vavubali.
"As the saying goes, Illam (Home), Vallom (Thiruvallom) and Nelli (Thirunelli) are the three auspicious places to offer bali. So people can even offer Sradham at home but since there are no ponds at households anymore, more people can offer bali at such places.
Other than Vavubali day, they can offer Sraddam on the death anniversaries of their ancestors based on Malayalam calendar. As per the belief, one Malayalam calendar year is a day for dead family members," said a senior priest.
Traffic curbs put in place
The city police has announced special traffic arrangements between Thiruvallam and Shangumugham on the eve of Karkidaka Vavubali on Tuesday morning.
The vehicles moving from Chackai side to domestic airport should go via Inchakkal, Kaloomodu and Ponnara bridge. Those coming to Shangumugham should stop only at areas designated for parking. Vehicle parking around Shangumugham beach is allowed at Corporation Tsunami park area, MVD ground, the road between Domestic airport and cargo terminal and one side of Shangumughom- Vettucaud road.
Meanwhile around Thiruvallam parking will be allowed at BNV parking ground and Vazhamuttom bypass. Parking will be allowed on one side of the service road on the West side of Kumarichandha. Vehicles coming from Karumam should take a detour at Pazhaya Thiruvallam and go to Pachallor.
Parked vehicles should compulsory display the name and mobile phone number of the driver.
