Patna: Tens of thousands of devotees gathered at riverbanks across Bihar early on Sunday to take a ritual dip in the Ganga on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious bathing days in the Hindu calendar.
The ritual bathing began before sunrise, with pilgrims arriving in large numbers to observe the Brahma Muhurta, the period considered especially sacred. After bathing, devotees offered prayers, performed rituals and gave alms, believing that a silent dip in the Ganga on the new moon day of the month of Magha washes away sins and brings spiritual merit.
In Patna, crowds gathered at several ghats, including Digha Ghat and NIT Ghat, where devotees began bathing from the early hours of the morning. Officials said the turnout increased steadily as the day progressed.
At Buxar, Ramrekha Ghat saw devotees arriving not only from the district but also from neighbouring regions such as Shahabad, Gopalganj and Siwan. Meanwhile, at Sonepur, pilgrims took a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga and the Gandak, followed by prayers at the Hariharnath Temple.
Mauni Amavasya holds particular religious significance, with devotees believing that worship of Shiva and Parvati on the day brings fulfilment of wishes and blessings from ancestors.
In view of the heavy turnout, district administrations put in place stringent security and safety measures at major ghats. Police personnel and magistrates were deployed to manage crowds, while teams of trained divers were stationed along the riverbanks to prevent any untoward incidents. Officials said arrangements would remain in place throughout the day to ensure the smooth conduct of the rituals.
