On Mahalaya Amavasya, thousands flocked to Mettupalayam's Nandavanam to perform tarpana rituals for ancestors. Devotees from Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Erode queued from early morning to offer prayers and take holy dips in the Bhavani River.
Coimbatore: Thousands of devotees gathered at the All Hindu Community Nandavanam in Mettupalayam, Coimbatore district, to perform tarpana rituals for their ancestors on the occasion of Mahalaya Amavasya.
The sacred site, considered equivalent to Kashi, saw a massive influx of people from early morning, waiting in long queues to conduct the rituals and offer prayers.
The Nandavanam, located near the Bhavani River and Matheswaran Hill Temple, is believed to be a place where performing tarpana brings peace to the souls of ancestors and prosperity to families. This belief draws countless devotees annually on Mahalaya Amavasya day.
Devotees from Coimbatore, Tirupur, and Erode districts arrived at the venue from the early hours of the morning. They offered tarpana with the help of priests, using vegetables, fruits, and rice balls (pindas). After the rituals, they immersed the offerings in the Bhavani River and took a holy dip.
To manage the large crowds, the All Hindu Community Association's Nandavanam administrators have made arrangements for basic amenities such as food, water, and sanitation facilities for the visiting devotees.
The significance of Mahalaya Amavasya and the belief in ancestral blessings have kept this tradition alive, with thousands participating in the rituals every year at this revered site in Mettupalayam.