Thousands of Hindu faithful from across India take a ‘holy dip’ in the river Ganges on ‘Mauni Arnavasya,’ an auspicious day according to the Hindu calendar.
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(ROUGH CUT – NO REPORTER NARRATION) Thousands of Hindu devotees across India took a holy dip in the river Ganges on the occasion of ‘Mauni Amavasya’ on Friday (January 27). ‘Mauni Amavasya’ is considered an auspicious day when sun and moon enteron Friday (January 27) Capricorn sign according to Hindu calendar. People perform rituals for salvation of their ancestors and give donations to priests or needy. Meanwhile, braving the biting cold, devotees in northern Allahabad city thronged Sangam – confluence of holy rivers of Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati – to take a holy dip and offer prayers. Tight security arrangements were put in place to prevent any incidents like stampedes. ‘Mauni Amavasya’ is observed every year in the month of January or February on no moon day as per the Hindu calendar. It is believed that the water of the Ganges turns into nectar on ‘Mauni Amavasya’. It is derived from the word ‘Muni’ that literally means an ascetic who practices silence.