‘Aadi Amavasai’ observed – The Hindu

Performing traditional rituals on the bank of the Tamirabharani and near the sea in memory of their ancestors, hundreds of devotees from various parts of the southern Tamil Nadu observed ‘Aadi Amavasai’ on Wednesday.

As the Tamirabharani that flows from the Western Ghats touches the ground at Papanasam, devotees performed rituals on the bank of the perennial river, took holy dip before offering prayers at Sri Papanasa Swami Temple. Since the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has banned the discarding of old clothes in the river after taking bath, surveillance had been intensified to check this violation.

In Tenkasi district, the devotees performed the ‘Aadi Amavasai’ rituals at Courtallam and along the Chittar watercourse and offered prayers in the nearby temples including Sri Kutralanatha Swami Temple and Tenkasi Kasi Viswanatha Swami Temple.

Rituals were performed at Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple in Tiruchendur from 4.30 a.m. onwards. After performing the rituals on the beach, the devotees took dip in the sea and offered prayers in the temple. The devotees also performed the rituals at Terespuram beach, new harbour beach and along the Tamirabharani watercourse.

Kanniyakumari district administration had declared local holiday for observing ‘Aadi Amavasai’. A few thousand devotees offered special prayers on the beach of Kanniyakumari.