Karkidaka Vavu Bali, a Hindu ritual to honour the ancestors, is observed in which state?

Karkidaka Vavu Bali is a Hindu ritual observed in Kerala to honour and offer prayers to departed ancestors. It is performed on the new moon day (vavu) of the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, which falls in July-August.

Karkidakam, the last month of the Malayalam calendar, falls during the heavy monsoon rains and is traditionally regarded as a month of hardship and prayer. It is also known as the "Ramayana month", because Hindus in Kerala read the Adhyatma Ramayana of Thunchath Ezhuthachan in their homes during this month. The new moon day of Karkidakam is regarded as the most important day for performing rites for the dead, because it is believed that the souls of the ancestors can receive offerings easily on this day.

On Karkidaka Vavu, thousands of people gather at the banks of rivers, beaches and temple ponds early in the morning to perform the "bali tharpanam", the ritual offering to the ancestors. After bathing in the water, they wear wet clothes and, guided by priests, offer balls of cooked rice (pinda), sesame seeds, flowers and water to the departed souls, praying for their peace and salvation. Many people fast on the day before the ritual. The most famous places for the ritual are the Aluva Manappuram on the banks of the Periyar river, the Thirunelli temple in Wayanad, the Papanasam beach at Varkala, and the Thiruvallam Parasurama temple near Thiruvananthapuram.

Similar rituals for ancestors are performed in other parts of India during Pitru Paksha, the fortnight of the ancestors in the month of Bhadrapada or Ashvin, and on Mahalaya Amavasya. In Tamil Nadu, the new moon of the month of Aadi (Aadi Amavasai) is important for such rituals.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Tamil Nadu observes Aadi Amavasai for honouring ancestors.
• ✗Karnataka observes Mahalaya Amavasya during Pitru Paksha.
• ✗Andhra Pradesh observes Pitru Paksha and Mahalaya Amavasya.