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Mathura, October 23 (IANS) There was a wave of devotion in Mathura on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj, celebrated two days after Diwali. This festival, celebrated on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, also known as Yama Dwitiya, attracted huge crowds at the ghats of river Yamuna. Around 1.25 lakh devotees gathered at Vishram Ghat to take the holy dip, which was the spiritual highlight of the day.
The ancient Yamraj temple located on the banks of the Yamuna at Vishram Ghat became the center of celebrations, where the main bathing rituals took place. From elders to small children, devotees take a dip in the holy river with deep faith, believing that the ritual ensures salvation from untimely death. Brothers and sisters bathe together, symbolizing love, protection and a wish for long life.
After the ritual bath, the sisters seat their brothers on a seat and apply tilak on their forehead. After this he proceeded to the Yamraj-Yamuna temple located near the stairs of the ghat, where he lit a lamp and offered prayers as per Vedic traditions. Priests at the site performed rituals on behalf of the devotees, sang hymns and sought blessings for the brothers and sisters.
According to Hindu mythology, the festival of Bhai Dooj celebrates the affection between Yamraj, the god of death, and his sister Yamuna. It is believed that Yamraj, unable to meet his sister due to his duties at Yampuri, once accepted her invitation to Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. Pleased with her hospitality, he granted her a boon – that any brother who visits his sister on this day, dines at her house and receives her blessings, will be blessed with long life, prosperity and protection from untimely death.
Since then Bhai Dooj started being celebrated as a symbol of love and protection between brother and sister. The tradition of bathing together in the Yamuna is especially important in Mathura. It is believed to bring happiness, prosperity and good fortune. During the puja, the sisters pray to Yamraj and Yamuna for the long life of their brothers, seeking the blessings of the eight immortals like Markandeya, Hanuman, Bali, Parashurama, Vyas, Vibhishana, Kripacharya and Ashwatthama.
–IANS
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