Mahalaya Amavasya celebrated

BANGALORE: Thousands of people performed various rituals including offering of ablutions to their forefathers on the occasion of Mahalaya Amavasya on Tuesday.Many temples had organised special ‘havans’ on the occasion. According to some scriptures, Karna, reputed for his charity, had donated a lot of wealth to needy but he had not fed anyone. Whatever Karna donated when on earth, was returned hundredfold to him when he reached heaven after death. As he had not fed anyone he did not get food articles in heaven. Upon his request, Yama, the god of death, sent him back to earth to donate food for fourteen days. Karna fed Brahmins and poor for fourteen days and received plenty of food in return when he returned to heaven. These fourteen days came to be called as Mahalaya Paksha. People started observing Mahalaya Paksha by observing various vows including offering ablutions to their forefathers. According to a popular belief, the benefits of vows observed and rituals performed on Mahalaya Amavasya reach the forefathers of the performers.