Varkala Bali Mandapam — Attraction in Kerala

PAPANASAM BEACH BELI MANDAPOM IS A BUILDING USED TO PERFORM BELI THARPPANAM (OFFERING TO THE DEAD OR ANCESTORS FOR THEIR GOOD WILL OF SOUL)AND IMMERSING ONES ASHES IN SEA TO LIBERATE THE SPIRIT. . THIS RITUAL USUALLY TAKE HALF AN HOUR TIME BY PRIESTS PRESENT HERE. DAKSHINA OR MONEY GIVEN HERE IS REASONABLE THAN THE LOCAL PRIESTS SEEN ON THE BEACH. PEOPLE COMING FROM VILLAGES HAVE THEIR OWN PRIESTS AND RITUALS ARE DONE ONLY AT SEASHORE AND NOT ON ENCLOSED BUILDING. IF YOU WANT TO IMMERSE THE BURNT ASHES ,THEN YOU HAVE TO BRING OIL,INCENSE STICK,THREE SMALL BANANA,ONE BETEL LEAF,AND COINS . AND FOR BELI TARPPANAM ON 16TH DAY , WE HAVE TO PAY 75 RS IN THE COUNTER .AFTER THAT REMOVE YOUR UPPER FOR MALE AND WEAR A TOWEL AROUND WAIST. PICK A KINDI AND FILL IT WITH WATER AND REST AROUND THE INNNER MANDAPA. SOME RITUAL ITEMS WILL BE KEPT IN FRONT OF YOU. ACCORDING TO THE POOJARIS WORDS YOU HAVE TO DO THE RITUALS FOR 15 - 20 MINUTES. FINALLY OFFERINGS ARE GIVEN TO BIRDS AND SEA...... THIS TRADITIONAL STYLED BUILDING IS CONSTRUCTED BY HABITAT ON CONSULTATION OF VASTU GURU - KANIPAYYOOR KRISHNAN NAMBOODIRI AND MAINTAINED BY DEVASOM BOARD OF TRAVANCORE, KERALA GOVT. THE DRAWBACKS ARE UPPER FLOOR IS JUST ORNAMENTAL AND UNUSED, ENCLOSED STYLE AND SO MANY PILLARS INSIDE THE ROOM. 1.43 CRORE PROJECT...

This Bali Mandalam is a part of the Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple under the administration of Travancore Devaswam Board Kerala. It is situated in a very prominent place facing the Varkala Beach famous for performing Bali rites for those who departed us to the abode of Maha Vishnu. It is believed that this beach near Sree Janardhana Swamy temple is a sacred place for performing bali rites which will bring moksha and liberation to the atman of the person who left us. Thousands of people come here daily for performing the Bali rites. The arrangements which has been made by the temple authorities are relevant and impeccable. The service rendered by them are laudable. If we approach the Bali mandapam for performing the rites they will guide us well without getting cheated by the fraudsters in this field. I wish the authorities concerned may pay attention to plant more trees near this mandapam on the beach side so that pilgrims who visit here for performing bali rites could take...

Varkala Bali Mandapam This is an edifice located on the southern side of papanasam beach at Varkala, Kerala. It is basically a covered hall built in Kerala Heritage House architecture. It has pillars painted with murals. It is a center authorised by the devaswom board.

The mandapam is primarily used to conduct the post funeral rituals of Hindus who consign the mortal remains of their departed relatives into the sea here. During the annual vali vavu a number of people gather here to offer reverence to their departed ones by conducting rituals. Fixed charges are to be paid to perform the rituals.

On the beach you will find priests who display their name and background on a display board camping under beach umbrellas. They too help devotees to perform the rituals.

You will also see a number of pigeons and crows in and around this mandapam feeding on the ritual offerings.

Photos by Viswas Menon © Viswas Menon Write up compiled by...