It Happens : Devotees take holy dip in sacred River Ganges on Mauni Amavasya

Allahabad/Varanasi, Jan 23 (ANI): Thousands of devout Hindus on Tuesday gathered at the confluence of sacred River Ganges in Uttar Pradesh and took silent holy dip on the occasion of No Moon Day, or ‘Mauni Amavasya’. The auspicious day is celebrated every year as a spiritual ritual in the month of January or February on No Moon day as per the traditional Hindu calendar. Devotees thronged the banks of River Ganges early morning for ritual bath to wash away their sins and sought salvation. This day marks the end of a month- long period of silence, a priest Hiranand Pandey said. Meanwhile, braving the biting cold, Hindus converged at temple town of Varanasi and made religious offerings as well. 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. Jan 23, 2015