Konni: Karkkadaka Vavu was observed with traditional rituals and devotional fervour at the historic Konni Sree Kalleli Urali Appuppan Kavu, with devotees gathering to honour ancestors and express reverence for nature.
Following the centuries-old Kaula tradition, the ceremonies began with offerings of lamps, food and water to the Guru Karanavans of the 999 mountains and ancestral figures who preserved the tradition. The rituals included 1001 Murukkan Samarpanam, 1001 Karikk Pateni, Bali Tharpanam, Aadhya Uru Maniyan Puja, Parnasala Puja, Pitru Puja, Aashan Puja, Ashtanaga Puja, Ayilyam Puja and Vavuttu.
Special rituals were also conducted to honour nature, including Bhoomi Puja, Vriksha Samrakshana Puja, Jala Samrakshana Puja and Samudra Puja. A special puja and offering were subsequently held at the bathing ghat of the sacred Achankovil River.
The day-long observances included Upaswaroopa Puja, Vanaraoottu, Meenoottu, Prabhavatvandam, Deepa Namaskaram, Naga Puja, Ayilyam Puja, Karikku Abhishekam, Manjal Neerat, Pala Abhishekam, Parnasala Puja, Pitru Puja and Aashan Puja. Special Vavuttu ceremonies were held in the evening in a devotional atmosphere.
Agricultural and forest produce were roasted, powdered and cooked before being offered on tea, punna and malava leaves. A special Vavuttu Puja was conducted with varapudi, thend, therali, kalash and kiriku, followed by Vavuttu Guruthi Puja, performed for ancestral salvation.
Various government departments made arrangements to facilitate the ceremonies. Devotees from different parts of Kerala participated in the observances, paid homage to their ancestors and sought the blessings of Kalleli Urali Appuppan.
The Karkkadaka Vavu celebration thus brought together ancestral remembrance, traditional worship, devotion and respect for nature, reaffirming the cultural and spiritual significance of Kalleli Kavu
