Karkkidakavavu bali rituals at the Varkala beach, Thiruvananthapuram. The last bali of the century was celebrated on August 11th all over Kerala.

Karkkidakavavu bali is the ritual performed in Kerala on the vavu or new moon day of the Malayalam month Karkkidakom (Cancer) to propitiate the souls of the ancestors.

Karkkidakavavu bali is performed at certain places like the banks of the river Bharathappuzha at Thirunavaya in Malappuram district, Varaikkal beach at Kozhikode, Shanghumukham beach and Varkala beach at Thiruvananthapuram. Rice, turmeric, thulasi (Ocimum) etc. are used for the rituals.
 

Usually the bali is performed on the death anniversary of a person, but Karkkidakavavu is considered all souls' day and performing the ritual on this day is believed to get the departed soul eternal peace and free it of any earthly bonds. The Pujaris (Hindu priests) help and guide devotees in chanting the mantras and performing the rituals