Mangalore: Devotees Throng Arabian Sea for Holy Bath on Ellamavasya
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Dec 16: Today is Ellamavasya, the annual occasion of the last day of  Margashira month, considered to be holy. Hindus believe that offering liberation to their forefathers ensures the liberation of their souls,  and taking a holy dip in the sea on Ellamavasya relieves the bathers of the accumulated sins if any.

Heavy rush of people was witnessed at beaches of Malpe, Hejmady and various other places since the early hours of Wednesday December 16. People were seen in large numbers at seaside of Hejmady Karia at around 2 am itself. People from various parts of the twin-districts, residing far away from the seashore, came in various vehicles to the beaches early morning, and had a dip in the Arabian Sea.

To facilitate the people, buses had been arranged from various places to the seashores. The Rickshaw Union of Hejmady had erected shelters to enable ladies to change their clothes. Hejmady Yuvaka Vrinda had organized Yakshagana performance for the convenience of people congregating there at midnight. Priests were seen seated with their paraphernalia to help people desirous of offering libation.

Policemen and teams of volunteers have been moving about at places where devotees are found in large numbers, asking them through the public address system, to take care of their belongings, properly lock the vehicles while parking, and not to venture deep into the sea.