Udupi – In a spiritually significant and culturally unifying event, over seventy families of Kerala origin came together at Malpe Beach in Udupi to perform Balitarpanam — a ritual offering made to departed ancestors — on the occasion of Aati Amavasya, a day held sacred in Tulu Nadu.
The ceremony was organized by the Udupi Kerala Samajam Sansthan, marking the first-ever tarpan ritual by the Kerala community in Tulu Nadu as per their traditional customs.
Until now, Kerala-origin families residing in the coastal region typically participated in local Aati Amavasya traditions or limited their celebrations to Onam. However, this year, the Kerala Samajam invited expert tantris from Kerala to conduct the rituals in accordance with Kerala spiritual practices, while respecting the local Tulunadu customs.
Participants expressed deep emotional and spiritual satisfaction, acknowledging the significance of performing ancestral rites in a culturally authentic manner. The organizers confirmed that the Balitarpanam ceremony will now become an annual tradition, offering Kerala-origin families a meaningful way to connect with their roots, even while living outside their home state.
The move has been widely appreciated by the community, with many lauding the initiative as a bridge between tradition and belonging, celebrating Aati Amavasya with devotion and unity.