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Vavu (Vavorikkal) — the Kerala practice of eating only one meal on every Pournami (full moon) and Amavasya (new moon). Observed by both Nambudiri and Nair families. Calendar dates inherit from the Hindu Amavasya and Purnima schedule (24 days a year).
Mantra
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय। पितृभ्यो नमः।
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya · Pitribhyo namah
Salutations to Vishnu; salutations to the ancestors.
How to recite
Eat only one meal on both Pournami (full moon) and Amavasya (new moon) days — this is called Vavorikkal in Malayalam. Visit a Vishnu temple, light a lamp at home, and remember departed ancestors. The most significant Vavu is Karkidaka Vavu (Karkidakam Amavasya) when families perform Bali Tharpanam at riverbanks or seashores.
Benefits
Vavorikkal observance is said to bring blessings from the ancestors and Vishnu's grace for the family. Karkidaka Vavu is Kerala's equivalent of Sarvapitru Amavasya — the day when the gates between worlds are most open for ancestral blessings.
✦ Special Note
Karkidaka Vavu (Karkidakam Amavasya, July–Aug) is the most significant — non-vegetarian food is forbidden for the entire family on that day, and ancestor Bali Tharpanam is performed (see separate Karkidaka Vavu Bali entry).
Foods Allowed
Foods to Avoid
Meal Idea
Plain rice with sambar, avial, tender coconut water; or kanji with chammanthi.
🪔 Aarti
Om Jai Jagdish Hare
ॐ जय जगदीश हरे, स्वामी जय जगदीश हरे । भक्त जनों के संकट, दास जनों के संकट, क्षण में दूर करे ॥ जो ध्यावे फल पावे, दुःख बिनसे मन का । सुख सम्पत्ति घर आवे, कष्ट मिटे तन का ॥ मात-पिता तुम मेरे, शरण गहूं मैं किसकी । तुम बिन और न दूजा, आस करूं मैं जिसकी ॥ तुम पूरन परमात्मा, तुम अंतर्यामी । पारब्रह्म परमेश्वर, तुम सबके स्वामी ॥ तुम करुणा के सागर, तुम पालनकर्ता । मैं सेवक तुम स्वामी, कृपा करो भर्ता ॥ तुम हो एक अगोचर, सबके प्राणपति । किस विधि मिलूं दयामय, तुमको मैं कुमति ॥ दीनबंधु दुःखहर्ता, ठाकुर तुम मेरे । अपने हाथ उठाओ, अपनी शरण में लाओ ॥ विषय विकार मिटाओ, पाप हरो देवा । श्रद्धा भक्ति बढ़ाओ, संतन की सेवा ॥
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Get a reminder before the next Vavu (Pournami + Amavasya)
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