Mahalaya Amavasya 2020: Dip at holy Ganga banned for public in view of COVID-19

Devotees will not be allowed to take a holy dip at the Ganges on Har Ki Pauri on the occasion of Mahalaya Amavasya on September 17 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the district administration said on Wednesday.

Along with this, the Narayan Shila temple will also remain closed. The temple and Har ki Pauri will be sealed from today evening (September 16).

Lakhs of devotees used to turn up at the Ganga ghats on the occasion every year for a ritual bath in the holy river. The day is considered an ideal day for paying respects to all the departed souls in the family.

Significance of Sarv Pitru Amavasya

Mahalaya Amavasya, also known as Sarv Pitru Amavasya, will be observed on September 17. The Amavasya Tithi will begin at 7.56 pm today, i.e. September 16 and will end at 4.29 pm tomorrow, i.e. September 17.

Mahalaya Amavasya marks the culmination of the Pitru Paksha period and the beginning of the Devi Paksha.

On this day, Shradh and Tarpan rituals are performed for those who breathed their last on Purnima Tithi, Chaturdashi Tithi and Amavasya Tithi.

The day also marks the onset of the Sharadiya Navratri season that is dedicated to Maa Durga. The devotees keep a fast for nine days and worship the nine forms of Maa Durga. On this day, the Goddess descends on the earth from her heavenly abode or Kailash.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday as many as 1,391 people tested positive for COVID-19 taking the state's tally to 34,407, while nine more people succumbed to the infection, PTI said quoting officials.