Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Kerala High Court Orders Fresh Balitharpanam Layout Plan
Many families in Kerala do something called Balitharpanam.
It is a special way to remember their ancestors who have died.
They make small offerings and pray for them.
This happens every year during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam.
This year, a very large number of people — about two lakh, which is 200,000 — will come to Thirumullavaram Beach to do this.
That is as many people as a small city.
A court called the Kerala High Court wanted everyone to be safe.
It looked at a plan for where people would walk and where the resting sheds would be.
The court said the plan was not clear enough.
It asked officials to make a new, better plan with exact details.
The new plan must show paths, toilets, drinking water, and roads for ambulances.
It must be ready before August 11 so everyone stays safe and happy.
The Kerala High Court directed a fresh layout plan for the Balitharpanam ritual at Thirumullavaram Beach in Kollam district.
Nearly two lakh pilgrims are expected to congregate at the beach for the ritual on August 12.
The bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar found the Travancore Devaswom Board's plan lacked specific shed dimensions and pathway details.
The new plan is to be prepared by the District Disaster Management Authority and the Town Planner, Kollam, with suggestions from stakeholders including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
The court posted the matter for further hearing on August 7 and directed that arrangements be completed well before August 11.
Balitharpanam is a Hindu ritual of making offerings to departed ancestors, observed during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam and known as 'Karkidaka Vavu Bali'.
- Who
- A Kerala High Court bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar, along with the Travancore Devaswom Board, District Disaster Management Authority, and Town Planner, Kollam.
- What
- Directed the preparation of a fresh, detailed layout plan to regulate the movement and smooth passage of pilgrims at the Balitharpanam ritual.
- When
- Directive issued on August 6; further hearing on August 7; ritual scheduled for August 12.
- Where
- Thirumullavaram Beach in Kollam district, Kerala.
- Why
- The earlier plan by the Travancore Devaswom Board lacked specific dimensions for sheds and pathways, and the court deemed a clear demarcation of pilgrim movement essential for safety and order.
- Court
- Kerala High Court
- Ritual
- Balitharpanam (Karkidaka Vavu Bali)
- Location
- Thirumullavaram Beach, Kollam district, Kerala
- Expected pilgrims
- Nearly two lakh (200,000)
- Ritual date
- August 12
- Original plan prepared by
- Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB)
- New plan to be prepared by
- District Disaster Management Authority and Town Planner, Kollam
- Deadlines
- Layout finalised well before August 11; hearing on August 7
