Mathura: Over 2 Lakh Devotees Take Holy Dip in Yamuna on Yam Dwitiyaa

Mathura (UP): Over two lakh devotees took a dip in holy water of Yamuna river at several ghats of Mathura and Vrindavan on occasion of 'Yam Dwitiyaa' on Sunday, officials said.

"A large number of siblings belonging to different groups celebrated festival by taking holy dip," Senior Superintendent of Police Shailesh Kumar Pandey said.

He ded that over two lakh devotees took a dip in Yamuna on occasion which is celebrated on day of Bhai Dooj.

Narrating legend of festival, priest Kanta Chaturvedi said, "Lord Yamraj, pleased by his sister Yamuna's hospitality, granted her a boon." "According to boon, siblings of any group taking a dip in holy Yamuna river at Mathura's Vishram Ghat toger on day of 'Yam Dwitiyaa' will be spared from wrath of messengers of Lord Yam," priest said.

While majority of devotees took a dip at Vishram Ghat, those unaware of legend took dip in Bangali Ghat, Swami Ghat, and on or bank of Yamuna. After taking dip, y paid obeisance at Dharmraj temple situated on bank of Yamuna near Vishram Ghat, Dhanesh Chaturvedi, a resident of Mathura said.

Siblings Geeta and Devas who came from Gorakhpur said y were gl y could take a dip in holy Yamuna toger. Similarly, for siblings Rita and Subhash from Agra, in ir teens, it was a revered experience.

In Luckw, devotees worshipped Lord Chitragupta on occasion of Yam Dwitiyaa.

celebrations were held at Bhagvaan Shri Chitragupta Dham Jhulelal Vatika in state capital. Collective worship of pens and ink pots were also held.

According to Dilip Srivastava, programme organiser, 'chhappan bhog' pras was offered to deity at temple.

Pens were also distributed to devotees along with pras, he said.

Forest and Environment Minister Arun Saxena visited temple and wished people of state on occasions of Lord Shri Chitragupt Pujan, Kalam Dawat Pujan and Bhaaidooj, organisers said in a statement. 

With PTI Inputs