Allahabad, Jan 26 : Thousands of Hindu devotees took a holy dip in rivers across India including ''Sangam'', the confluence of river Ganga , Yamuna and mythical Saraswati today, on the occasion of `Mauni Amavasya'' which marks the new moon day of the Hindu month of Magha.

Braving chilly weather, a large number of devout Hindus from several places including Allahabad, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Mathura, thronged the Sangam in the wee hours of the morning and took the holy dip, after which they visited temples and offered prayers.

Hindus consider the holy dip at ''Sangam'' on ''Mauni Amavasya'' extremely auspicious. The event holds a special sigmificance when it falls on Monday.

A partial solar eclipse is also taking place on the same day.

"Taking a holy dip here will not only benefit our children but also our family life. It will also benefit the society as a whole," said R D Sharma, a devout pilgrim.

Fasting is observed on this day. Besides, the devotees do not talk to each other during the observance.

''Mauni Amavasya'' occurs on the 15th day of the dark fortnight of Hindu Magh month (January-February). It is derived from the word Muni which literally means an ascetic who practices silence. (ANI)