KOCHI: The Karkidaka vavu bali rituals to be held at Aluva Siva temple on Saturday will not be cancelled despite rising water level in Periyar. The temple administration has decided to arrange 41 'bali tharas', and devotees can perform the ritual only at the prescribed slots.Police have restricted entry of pilgrims to the river side in all other areas except to the 'bali tharas'.Restrictions are imposed on the river banks near Advaita Ashramam, Palace Road and Sree Krishna Swami temple. There would also be strict traffic regulations at Seminarypady, Thottakkattukara and Paravur Kavala "We would also set up barricades to avoid accidents in the area," said D Jayakumar, administrative officer of Aluva Siva temple.Fire and rescue teams along with police would be deployed near the temple premises to provide security to pilgrims coming to perform 'Vavu bali'.Officials would monitor the situation till Friday afternoon.The temple officials said that the morning ritual that is to be conducted inside the temple would be performed in a nearby Siva temple. If the Manappuram remains flooded, then the rituals would have to be conducted in the nearby road. Arrangements are also being done for that, said a temple official."The temple rituals would begin from 3am on Saturday. Only a few stalls have been opened because of the rise in water level in Periyar. Last year, there were 20 stalls. But this time, it has reduced to nine," said Jayakumar.

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