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November 7, 2010 | Devotees take holy dip in River Yamuna on Bhai Dooj festival in Allahabad |
Allahabad:A large number of devotees converged on the banks of the holy River Yamuna in Allahabad to take a holy dip on the occasion of Bhai Dooj festival that was celebrated
in different parts of the country today. Bhai Dooj falls two days after the festival
of lights Diwali. On this festival, sisters put Tilak, a religious mark, on the
forehead of their brothers. The occasion is meant to celebrate the relation of
brothers and sisters. Legend has it that Yamraj, the God of death had twin sisters
named Yami or Yamuna. Yami, Yama’s twin sister, was transformed into the sacred
river Yamuna in whose purifying waters people bathe on holy days. Yama was given
an equally important role and made the god of Death, whom all fear. On Bhai Dooj
day, Yami or Yamaraja was called to his sister’s home Yamuna, where she offered
Aarti and a small gift for her brother. Yama then told her that on this day brothers
would be invited to their sisters’ home and in return the brother would bring
a gift for his sister. "On the second day after new moon, we take bath in the
holy river Yamuna. It is significant because on this day, Goddess Yamuna invited
her brother Lord Yamaraj to her house, and on being pleased with her behavior,
Lord Yamaraj asked her to make a wish. Goddess Yamuna asked for his blessing on
every mortal, and it is also said that taking a holy dip in River Yamuna on this
day pleases Lord Yamaraj. In return, he blesses our brothers," said Durgawati,
a local woman. Tales also narrate the belief that if a woman takes bath in the
holy river on this day then Lord Yamaraj blesses her brothers with a long life.
"We bathe in holy River Yamuna and worship Lord Yamaraj so that he blesses our
brothers with long life," said Rekha, a girl. Locals queued up before priests
who had erected makeshift altars on the riverbanks. They also offered prayers
and lighted lamps while chanting hymns.
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