On Margashirsha Shani Amavasya, devotees took a dip in the holy Ganga and made donations.

Varanasi, 30 November (HS). On Saturday, on Margashirsha Amavasya, devotees, after taking a dip of faith in the holy Ganga, donated money at the Ganga ghats. Devotees started reaching the Ganga ghats early in the morning to take a bath in the Ganga on Shanichari Amavasya. Crowds of devotees gathered to take bath at the ancient Dashashwamedhghat, Ahilyabai, Panchganga, Assi, Samneghat and Ramnagar Baluaghat.

According to tradition, after bathing and donating, people visited Hanumat temples to worship Lord Hari. Ritualist Pradeep Pandey told that on Margashirsha Amavasya, people also performed Shraddha for their ancestors. He told that due to difference in calendar, Amavasya is being celebrated for two days. Amavasya started after 9:52 am on Saturday, 30 November. Which will remain till 11:17 the next day on Sunday, 1st December. In such a situation, Amavasya is celebrated on Saturday for Shraddha etc. Amavasya will also be celebrated on Sunday for bathing and donation. He told that on Saturday, along with offering incense and meditation for the ancestors, special religious rituals are also performed for Shani Dev. So the effect of Saturn’s defects in the horoscope is less. Shani Amavasya is considered a good day to appease the wrath of Shanidev. It is auspicious to donate things related to Shani on the day of Shani Amavasya.