Festive fervour: Pilgrims arrive at Mathura to take holy dip on Yam Dwitiya today

A number of woman pilgrims, along with their brother, have arrived here to take a dip on the auspicious occasion to attain salvation. ‘Our dream of bathing in river Yamuna on this auspicious day with my sister would be fulfilled on Saturday,’ said Sallu and his sister Jhabbo, who have come from Neemsar Misrik in Sitapur.

80-year-old Vinodini Mishra, who has come with her brother Nitin from Pratapgarh was equally elated as she has come to Mathura for the first time. ‘I have come with my brother as people say that bathing at?Vishram Ghat on this auspicious occasion guarantees salvation,’ she said.

Narrating the legend, Goverdhan Peethadhiswar Krishna Das Kanchan Maharaj said pleased by the hospitality of his sister? Yamuna, Yamraj blessed her saying if brothers and sisters together take a dip on this auspicious day (Yam Dwitiya) at Vishram Ghat then they would not be tortured by the messengers of Yamraj. They would also get salvation, he added.

Meanwhile, district administration has also made elaborate security and safety arrangements for the pilgrims on the occasion. With Yamuna being badly polluted, fresh water has been discharged from Okhala Barrage to flush off polluted water in the river.  A section of flood company has been posted at the ghats with 20 divers to prevent any incident of drowning.