: Thousands of people today performed "vavu bali" ritual in Kerala today, a custom followed by Keralite Hindus to propitiate departed souls every year on the day of "Karkitaka Vavu."
Cutting across caste and class barriers, men and women converged since the wee hous at various holy waters, seashores and temples to perform the ceremony of paying homage to their ancestors.
Police and state authorities have made elaborate arrangements to facilitate people to offer 'bali tharpan' at important places such as Thiruvaloom Parausurama Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Shangumugham Beach, Varkala Papanasam Beach and Aluwa river sands near Kochi.
