Udupi: People Rush to Arabian Sea For a Holy Dip on Yellu Amavasya

Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network- Udupi (SN/SP)

Udupi, Dec 27: The new moon day of the Margashira month as per Hindu calendar, is considered to be an auspicious occasion to take bath in the sea. In Karnataka, the day is known as Yellamavasya. The people flock to the nearest sea or sacred rivers to take a holy dip.

Early morning on Saturday  December 27, which happens to be the 'Yellamavasya', thousands of people were seen heading for the Malpe beach near here. They took bath in the Arabian sea and got a sense of fulfilment.

The devotees after the holy bath here, go to the local Pada Pandeshwar Balaram Temple, perform puja and turn the 'Sakshi Kallu' as per the prevailing  tradition.

Around 50 priests belonging to different sects perform the libation ritual, in which the devotees remember their forefathers  at the beach on the occasion.

The number of devotees who took the holy bath this time,  was considerably higher, as compared to the previous years.

Police officials and home guards have been deployed  at the beach to control the crowds. The holy bath that started at around  5 am, will continue till 3 pm in the noon.