Large number of Devotees take holy dip on Yellu Amavasya Day
Pics by Prasanna Kodavoor, Team Mangalorean
Udupi: A large number of devotees bathed in the Arabian Sea at Malpe on Thursday, December 29 on the occasion of Yellu Amavasya.
The entire shore area near the fisheries harbour had a festive look as the large crowd since early morning started arriving, eager to have a bath.
As per the Hindu calendar, it is considered to be an auspicious occasion to have a dip in the sea. In Karnataka, this day is known as Yellu Amavasya. People flock to the nearest sea to take a holy dip. After bathing, the devotees offer ‘tarpan’.
To observe this auspicious day of Yellu Amavasya, thousands of devotees converged at Malpe beach as a mark of respect to Mother Earth and to offer prayers to their forefathers. As part of the rituals, a large number of devotees took the sacred dip in the sea and offered Thilanjali to their ancestors.
Police and home guards were deployed at the beach to control the crowds.
This festival is observed by farmers through Karnataka as a form of thanksgiving to Mother Earth for a bountiful harvest and to Lord Shani for his mercy and blessings.
Pics by Prasanna Kodavoor