Mangalore : Large number of devotes took a dip at the sea on the auspicious occasion of Ellu Amavasya or Shravana Amavasya on August 25, Monday.

Ellu Amavasya falls on the first new moon day after Sri krishna Janmashtami celebrations.

The devotees visit temples like Lord Somanatha Temple in Someshwara, Narahari Parvatha, Maravanthe and even Arabian Sea to have a dip at sea and wash out their past sins and invoke blessings of their non living elders.

As per the rituals the devotees must assemble at the sea shore before the sunrise and hold betel leaves and coconut in their hands and take three rounds over their own head and offer it to goddess sea and later have a holy dip.

Some people also observe pujas dedicated to Lord Shani – especially those who have trouble with Shani Graha or Saturn in their horoscope. Most of the devotees offer Rudrabhisheka, Kumkumarchane or Karpura Arati to the presiding deity and family deities in the temple.

With regard to the security, a team of life guards and policemen will keep vigil at the seashore on this day, so that any divers will not face danger.

On this day, most of the families offer homage to their deceased elders in the family on the seashore in the form of oblation of sesame seeds.