Yama Dwitiya on November 3, Dharmapuri temple spruced up
JAGTIAL, NOVEMBER 01, 2024: Stated to be the only temple shrine of Lord Yama Dharmaraja (God of Death) in the country at Sri Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam at Dharmapuri in Jagtial district, the temple are spuring up the shrine for the annual ‘Yama Dwitiya’, a festival that would be held on Sunday (November 3, 2024).
Every year, the festival falls on the second day after Diwali. On this day, pilgrims from far-flung places visit the shrine and offer prayers to Lord Yama. The belief is that those who offer prayers on this day would not go to ‘hell’ after death.
The pilgrims who visit the ancient temple shrine at Dharmapuri take a holy dip in river Godavari and pour oil in Yama Ganda Deepam before offering prayers to other presiding deities of the shrine to get rid of sorrows and sufferings. As part of Yama Dwitiya, the temple authorities have spruced up the shrine and made elaborate arrangements for the festival. Offering prayers during the annual festival holds significance for the people in the region.
The temple officials said that the priests would perform abhishekam to Lord Yama, Ayush homam and harathi and other special puja rituals on Sunday morning. The devotees perform special pujas such as Ayoosha Sooktham, homam, archanas, abhishekams for their good health and protection from evils.
In Dharmapuri region, people visit their sisters’ house for lunch on Yama Dwitiya as it is believed that Bhagini-hastha (food served by sisters) on this day would help in getting rid of all their sins
