Karkidaka Vavu in 2024

When is Karkidaka Vavu?

Karkidaka Vavu is a regional public holiday in the southern Indian state of Kerala on the full moon in the month of Karkidakam in the Malayalam calendar. This means it falls in July or August in the western calendar.

Karkidaka Vavu or "Karkidaka Vavu Bali" or spelt Karkkadaka Vavu is the name for the rituals performed by the Hindus in the state of Kerala for their dead ancestors.

Traditions of Karkidaka Vavu

Karkidakam is the last month in the Malayalam calendar and holds religious significance for Hindus in the state of Kerala. On the new moon at the start of the month, ceremonies for deceased family members are held. 

Though Bali (rites) are held for ancestors on different days, any Bali offered on Vavu (the new moon) is seen as the most auspicious.

On Karkidaka Vavu, large numbers of devotees perform the ‘Bali Tharpanam’ ritual in several Holy rivers, temples and seashores across Kerala. Varkala Papanasam beach is one of the major religious destinations on the day.

Licensed priests lead the rituals at huge pandals where many people can perform the rite at a time.

The person performing the Bali observes a fast on this day and is only allowed to eat one meal comprising of rice - a practice called orikka (meaning 'once'). The other members of the family can eat three meals of rice. Eating non-vegetarian food is strictly prohibited on the day. In most of the households in Kerala, a special preparation of steamed rice known as ‘Vavu ada’ is prepared.