: Thousands of people took a holy dip in the sea in Rameswaram and Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district on Wednesday in connection with the "Aadi Amavasai" festival.
Devotees performed rituals in memory of their forefathers as it is believed that they would help them reach the abode of the Lord, officials said.
The temple town wore a festive look. Long queues were seen at the famous Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram to worship the presiding deity.
Legend has it that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Siva in the form of a idol, made from sand by Seetha on his return here from Sri Lanka after rescuing her from the clutches of Ravana, a Lord Shiva devotee said.
In order to wash away the sins of murdering a Shiva devotee, he performed 'shiva linga' pooja in month of Adi.
Meanwhile at Vedaranyam and Poompuhar in Nagapattinam district, thousands of people performed rituals to mark "Aadi Amavasai."