Mahalaya Amavasya today! Devotees perform ‘tarpans’ for ancestors at Rameswaram!
Posted on: 23/Sep/2014 2:53:39 PM
New Moon days (known as amavasya or amavasai in Tamil) have religious significance in the Hindu Tradition. Mahalaya Amavasya has got special significance like the Full Moon days – Amavasyas – falling in the Tamil month of Thai, Aadi and Maha Sivarathri.
As per the Hindu tradition, performing special prayer rites for the departed ancestors on these days brings a lot of ‘Punniyam’ (goodwill).
Today, Tuesday, 23rd Septmeber, is Mahalaya Amvasya Day. All traditional Hindus gathered at water storage locations such as sea, ponds, or rivers and took holy bath. Subsequently, they performed the rites, known as ‘tarpanam’, for the souls of the departed ancestors.
Rameswaram, popular as one of the holy or sacred spots, had a huge number of devotees visiting from different districts of the state from yesterday. More visitors have been arriving today as well.
The devotees had a holy bath at the ‘Agni Teertham’ and then performed the special rites for the souls of the departed ancestors with the assistance of ‘Purohits’. Then, they proceeded to take baths in different ‘holy theerthams’ in the famous Lord Ramanatha Swamy Temple and had a Darshan of the Lord.
