Early on August 11, thousands of Hindu devotees will flock to temples, beaches and riverfronts to partake in an ancient religious ritual, Karkidaka Vavu Bali, to propitiate their forebears.
In an attempt to facilitate the religious observance better, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran chaired a meeting of essential stakeholders.
The Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple, the Varkala Papanasam Temple, both in Thiruvananthapuram, Thirumullavaram Temple in Kollam, and Aluva Siva Temple in Ernakulam district are traditionally the focal points of the ceremony.
Mr. Surendran prioritised crowd control, posting of lifeguards at beaches and waterfronts, police security cover, drinking water and public transport as the most critical areas that required the government’s attention.
In Thiruvananthapuram, he stressed the need to construct a temporary barrage to prevent the outflow from the heavily polluted Parvathy Puthanar from swamping the Parasurama temple ghat where people customarily wade into the water to offer ‘Bali,’ a traditional sacrament of rice and flowers served on a plantain leaf.
Coordination
The Minister also asked Devaswom temples to coordinate with local authorities, primarily district collectors and police chiefs, to prepare and execute location-specific schemes. He also asked Devaswom authorities to coordinate with the health department and to ensure doctors, paramedic and ambulances are on standby to assist devotees.
He suggested medical tents with beds and medicines and equipment to manage patients in crisis.
The Kerala Water Authority will provide drinking water.
The Minister also asked the planners to factor in the rough seas and monsoon season. He said the government would require a higher number of trained lifeguards to be on beaches. The Coast Guard and Marine police will also deploy for the day to ensure pilgrim safety.
Travancore Devaswom Board member K.P. Sankardas, TDB Commissioner N. Vasu, V.S. Sivakumar, V. Joy, O. Rajagopal, all MLAs, and District Police Chief, Rural, Asok Kumar attended the meeting.
