The ancient city of Ayodhya, known for its temples and sacred idols, continues to preserve several historical shrines dating back to the Treta Yuga. On the third day of the Diwali festival, the auspicious occasion of Yam Dwitiya is being celebrated with immense devotion and enthusiasm. Notably, Ramnagari Ayodhya is home to the country's sole temple dedicated to Yamraj, situated right along the banks of the Saryu River. Marking this sacred day, a traditional fair has been organized as every year at the Yamthara Ghat on the Saryu waterfront.
Holy Dips and Ritualistic Worship at Saryu Banks
Since early morning, a large number of devotees have been arriving at Yamthara Ghat to offer prayers. After taking a sacred dip in the holy Saryu River, worshippers are performing detailed rituals to honor Yamraj. The atmosphere along the riverbank remains deeply devotional amidst large gatherings of pilgrims and ongoing religious ceremonies. People can be seen lighting lamps and participating in prayers, while the continuous stream of devotees visiting for darshan has kept the site bustling since morning.
Mythological Significance Linked to the Treta Yuga
According to ancient religious beliefs and scriptures, when Lord Shri Ram decided to depart from the earthly realm, Yamraj himself came to Ayodhya to receive him. Legend states that during this visit, Yamraj rested at the Yamthara Ghat located on the banks of the Saryu. Following this, Lord Shri Ram took Jal Samadhi in the Saryu River at Ayodhya's Guptar Ghat. In memory of this very mythological episode, a fair is organized annually at Yamthara Ghat on the Dwitiya date of the Kartik Shukla Paksha.
Protection from Untimely Death and Celebration of Sibling Bonds
Temple priest Awadh Sharan explained that religious tradition holds that worshipping Yamraj on Yam Dwitiya eradicates the fear of untimely death and bestows the blessing of a long life upon individuals. This is the primary reason why devotees specially gather to worship Yamraj on this day. Furthermore, Yam Dwitiya also serves as a celebration of the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. On this occasion, sisters apply a tilak to their brothers' foreheads, praying for their longevity, prosperity, and happy lives.
Thousands of Pilgrims Arrive for Blessings
The temple priest noted that thousands of devotees arrive here every year on Yam Dwitiya to seek blessings through worship and darshan. Pilgrims visiting the site shared that they make it a point to visit on this auspicious day, as the continuous flow of devotees seeking blessings begins early in the morning. Worshippers emphasized that paying homage to Yamraj on this day brings divine grace, which explains the massive turnout witnessed every year on the third day following Diwali.
