Indian devotees mark No Moon Monday with river dip
STORY: River banks teemed with devotees as they waited for their turns to plunge in the Ganges to wash away sins and pray for the happiness of their departed ancestors.
'Somvati Amavasya' is also significant for married women, who take a dip in the Ganges, fast and pray for the long lives of their husbands.
According to the Hindu epic of Mahabharata, Bhisma, son of the river Ganges, narrated the significance of 'Somvati Amavasya' to Yudhisthira - the eldest of the five Pandava brothers. Bhishma said that whoever takes a bath in the sacred rivers on this day would be prosperous, disease-free and free from grief and sorrow.
