Hindus take holy dip in Ganges as they pay tribute to ancestors on new moon day in Kolkata
Kolkata, Sept 23 (ANI): Devout Hindus crowded river banks and priests guided them to perform rituals to pay tribute to their ancestors on Tuesday on the occasion of new moon day in Kolkata. The festive season of Navratri (Nine Nights) embarks from the very next day of this New Moon day in India, according to the Hindu calendar. Thousands of people took a holy dip in river Hooghly, traditionally called 'Ganga’ or Ganges. One of the devotees who flocked to the Hooghly, Dr S Pandey explained why people observe the holy dip on this particular day. Some devouts also tonsured their head as a mark of respect to their ancestors as they prayed for the peace of their souls after taking a dip in the river. On this day, making offerings to Hindu priests in the name of deceased loved ones holds a special significance.
