Today- july 18 is Karkkidavavu, The day which is dedicated to passed Ancestors. Karkidavavu Bali tharppanam is a very important Hindu religious Custom performed for the passed ancestors by their relatives. The Bali is performed in the month of Karkkidakam. It is done for the remembrance and peace of the souls of the ancestors who were passed away. By doing so, it helps the passed away souls to attain new worlds including new births in the physical realms and to attain even Moksha (Liberation from the Cycle of Birth and Death). It also brings good and prosperity to the family members of those who perform bali tharppanam.
Why it is performed?
Hindu Culture says when people dies they may not get in to the right worlds they are meant to be because of the negative karmas they did in the past life. What does it mean by Worlds? Worlds mean not only physical but there are many worlds beyond our physical reality, Hindu culture says there are thousands of levels of consciousness, we are now living in the physical level of consciousness only. One of such worlds is known as ‘Pitru Loka’ (the world of Ancesters), the world which is a part of subtle Energy worlds. What happens to the soul which is not able to attain any worlds? Such souls are known as ‘Ghosts’-Prethatma. The condition of such souls is miserable like a human being isolated in a desert without food, clothes and shelter! So it is the duty of the youngest members of the family to help them to attain new worlds and peace by doing Bali tharppanam.
Is there Any Scientific basis for this Karma?
Well you cannot do it in your lab and check if it is working! Certainly it is from the experience of many that it is very beneficial for the prosperity of the entire family of those who perform this ritual. You cannot be happy when any of your family members lives in a bad condition, you will do whatever is possible by you. Like that you may not able to see the souls who were passed away. It is said that the souls are able to see and feel any Lokas (worlds), and they are expecting a help from your side as your family member. And their expectation may sometimes put you in trouble, it may appear as ‘ PitruDosha’ in your Life. It may not means that they are angry with you or they hate you, but they only make you aware of their bad condition in PretaLoka (Ghost world). So Bali tharppanam is the ritual performed to get rid of PitruDoshas.
Where is it performed?
Normally it is performed near the banks of rivers and beach sides. Almost every temple in kerala arranges facilities for doing Karkkidavavu bali tharpanam. You can do it by yourself if you know or do it in guidance of a priest; the importance things are your Love, consideration and Prayer to the ancestors. Things that are needed to perform Bali tharppanam are Darbha (a type of long grass), pavithram (ring made of darbha grass), sesame (Ellu), cooked rice, Flowers, sandal powder, water and banana leaves.
