Overview
- Thousands of devotees gathered at riverbanks, temple ghats and beaches on Wednesday to perform the Karkidaka Vavu bali tharpanam ritual at sites including Thiruvallam, Thirumullavaram, Varkala and Aluva.
- Kerala Devaswoms Minister K. Muraleedharan said tharpanam centres were ready after a June ministerial review ordered improvements following lapses at Kollam Thirumullavaram in 2025.
- The state police warned people not to enter rivers or the sea because of strong currents and directed worshippers to use specially equipped platforms and designated safe areas.
- Authorities set up sheds, more than 40 balitharas at Aluva and parking and access facilities, while KSRTC and local transit ran extra services with about 100 special buses to carry devotees.
- Large safety deployments kept the observances orderly, with around 500 police and fire, rescue and bomb-squad personnel posted at Aluva and restricted sea access at some beaches to reduce risk.