THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With tens of thousands of people set to turn up in the city and various parts of the district to offer ‘Vavu Bali’ to departed souls, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and private temples have made all arrangements for the ritual. The TDB authorities said that the arrangements are in place at all the places where large crowds are expected, especially at Thiruvallom Parasurama Temple and Papanasam, Varkala.
As thousands flock to the various holy sites, traffic restrictions have been imposed in many of the places. From Thursday night itself, restrictions have been imposed at Thiruvallom, Shangumugham and Papanasam.
Thiruvallom
Parasurama Temple
Nine ‘Bali Mandapams’ have been arranged at the temple and about 3,000 people can perform ‘bali tharpan’ at a time. The devotees who bought tickets in advance should enter the temple through the rear entrance. Others can get the tickets from the counter set up on the river bank and can offer ‘bali’ either on the river bank or in the temple. As many as 100 showers have been set up for the devotees to bath after the ritual. The people can offer ‘bali’ till 2.30 pm.
As part of traffic restrictions, no parking will be allowed within 100-metre radius of the temple. The vehicles should be parked at BNV School ground and the parking lot on the Thiruvallom- Vazhamuttam Bypass. Parking has also been banned on the Kumarichantha - Thiruvallom, Ambalathara - Thiruvallom, and Pachalloor- Thiruvallom roads. The goods vehicles coming from the Vizhinjam side towards Thiruvallom will have to take a deviation through Mukkola, Uchakada and Balaramapuram. Those vehicles from Chackai side to Thiruvallom side should deviate from Enchakal and then proceed through Attakulangara, Killipalam and Pappanamcode.
Shangumugham Beach
After Parasurama temple, Shangumugham will witness the largest flow of devotees in the city. Strict restrictions have been imposed on the vehicles coming to Shangumugham. Separate parking lots have been earmarked for those coming to offer ‘bali’ here. The ground of the Motor Vehicles Department at Shangumugham, one side of the road between Cargo Complex and Old Domestic Airport, Veli ground and one side Shangumugham- Vettucaud road are allotted for parking.
With the sea being rough, the people have been asked to obey the directions of the lifeguards and also the police.
Aruvikkara Temple
At Aruvikkara, a new ‘bali mandapam’ with check dam has been inaugurated. It is estimated that about 50,000 people will offer ‘bali’ here. The KSRTC has made arrangements for more service to Aruvikkara. Apart from Aruvikkara, ‘bali’ is also performed at Aruvipuram, Vellayani Thrikullangara Temple, Thrivikramangalam Maha Vishnu Temple and Maranaloor Dharma Sastha Temple.
Papanasam Beach
All arrangements have been made at Papanasam for the smooth conduct of ‘bali tharpan.’ The priests deputed by the TDB will perform the rituals on the beach. Temporary ‘pandals’ have been erected.
The service buses coming from Kallambalam and Kadakkavoor towards Papanasam will be diverted through the Varkala Maidan towards Punnamoodu and from there head towards Altharamoodu through Kairali Nagar. The return trip should be also on the same route.
The light motor vehicles coming from Kallambalam and Kadakkavoor must head towards Varkala Government Hospital Junction for the passengers to disembark and later parked at Perumkulam parking ground. The buses coming from Parippally should move through Punnamoodu and Kairali Nagar to reach Altharamoodu, where the passengers should embark. The buses from the Edava and Kappil side also should head towards Altharamoodu for passengers to board and alight.
Liquor Banned
T’Puram: The sale of liquor has been banned within two-km radius of the places where ‘bali tharpan’ is performed.
The ban has imposed with the two-km radius of Varkala Papanasam beach, Aruvikkara Temple, Thiruvallom Parasurama Temple, Aruvipuram Temple, Shangumugham Beach and Vellar, according to the District Collector.
The ban will be in force till Friday, 6 pm.