Bhai Dooj 2024: Over 2 lakh devotees take dip in Yamuna at Yam Dwitiyaa in Mathura

Over two lakh devotees took a dip in the holy water of the Yamuna river at several ghats in Mathura and Vrindavan on the occasion of Yam Dvitiya on Sunday (November 3), officials said.

“A large number of brothers and sisters belonging to different age groups celebrated the festival by bathing in the festivities,” said Senior Superintendent of Police Shailesh Kumar Pandey.

He added that more than two lakh devotees bathed in the Yamuna on the occasion, which is celebrated on Bhai Duj day.

Narrating the legend of the festival, the priest Kanta Chaturvedi said, “Lord Yamraj, pleased with the hospitality of his sister Yamuna, bestowed boons upon her.” “According to the blessing, brothers and sisters of all age groups who bathe together in the holy river Yamuna at Vishram Ghat in Mathura on the day of ‘Yam Dvitiyaa’ will be saved from the wrath of the messengers of Lord Yama,” said the priest.

While most devotees bathed in Vishram Ghat, those who did not know the legend bathed in Bangali Ghat, Swami Ghat and on the other side of the Yamuna. After bathing, they paid obeisance at the Dharmraj temple located on the banks of the Yamuna near Vishram Ghat, said Danesh Chaturvedi, a resident of Mathura.

Siblings Geetha and Dewas, who came from Gorakhpur, said they were happy to be able to take a dip in the holy Yamuna together. Similarly, it was a cherished experience for Agra-based siblings Rita and Subhash as teenagers.