Lakhs of people paid obeisance to their ancestors, on the occasion of ‘Mahalaya Amavasya’, in the holy island of Rameswaram, on the banks of River Cauvery, Triveni Sangamam in Kanyakumari and other important waterbodies across Tamil Nadu on Monday.
Kin performing rites to forefathers at Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Chennai on ‘Mahalaya Ammavasya’
Rameswaram:
Mahalaya Amavasya is considered as a highly auspicious day for performing oblations to the ancestors. Thousands of people from various parts of the country thronged ‘Agni Theertha Kadarkarai’ (seashore) in Rameswaram, besides the famous Sethukarai and Devipattinam sea shores and offered Tarpanam to their departed ancestors after taking a holy dip.
The day is of great significance at the renowned Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram.
The idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita were taken in a traditional procession from the temple to the Agni Theertha Kadarkarai, where special poojas were performed to the deities.
Cooked rice, fruits, vegetables and black sesame seeds were offered to the departed souls as part of the Tarpana rituals.
Reports said thousands of people thronged the banks of River Cauvery at religiously significant Ammamandapam bathing ghats at Srirangam in Tiruchirapalli district and paid their oblations.