Hindu Devotees Perform Various Rituals On Occasion Of No Moon Day In Allahabad, India

Hindu devotees offer prayers as a priest performs the “Pind Daan” ceremony, rituals performed for the peace of the souls of ancestors, on the banks of the river Ganges in Allahabad, India, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012.

An Indian woman suspected to be possessed by evil spirits, is treated by several “ojha,” or priests, who rid people of the spirits for a fee, on the banks of the River Ganges on the occasion of Somvati Amavasya, or no moon day in Allahabad, India, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. Amavasya is the new moon day that falls on a Monday in a traditional Hindu lunar calendar. It is a rare occurrence in a year and is considered highly auspicious.

Hindu devotees hold their saris to dry in the wind after taking a holy dip in the River Ganges on the occasion of Somvati Amavasya, or no moon day in Allahabad, India, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. <AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh>

Hindu devotees bathe as they perform Tarpan, rituals for the peace of the souls of ancestors, on the banks of the River Ganges in Kolkata, India, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. <AP Photo/Bikas Das>

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