Karimnagar: Unlike in any other region, devotees throng Dharmapuri in Jagtial district on two occasions to worship and offer prayers to Lord Yama Dharmaraju, the god of death.
Devotees come to the Yama Dharmaraju temple situated adjacent to the famous Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam in Dharmapuri on Yama Dwitiya, which is observed on the second day of Diwali every year, and on Bharani Nakshatra, which falls in the summer season.
Generally, out of dread, no one likes to hear the name of Lord Yama Dharmaraju. Some believe that inviting Lord Yama is equal to an invitation to death. But devotees observe the occasion of Yama Dwitiya. It is believed that this is the day “Lord Yama visits his sister Yamuna Devi’s house for lunch.”
As per mythology, Lord Yama Dharmaraju promises his sister that people who offer prayers to the Lord on this day would not go to hell and they would get rid of all their sorrows and sufferings. Hence, on the second day of Diwali, sisters invite their brothers for lunch and serve them food that’s also called ‘Bhai Dooj’ in some places.
The temple authorities make elaborate arrangements for the two occasions and perform special prayers like Manyu Suktam, Ayushya Suktam, Abhishekam, arathi, Mantra Pushpam and Rudrabhishekam to Lord Yama Dharma Raju and Ayush Suktha Homam for the longevity and good health of the devotees.
After offering prayers to the presiding deities of god Narasimha Swamy and goddess Sri Lakshmi Devi, the devotees participated in special pujas to Lord Yama Dharmaraju that was organised by the temple authorities.
Devotees worship Lord Yama Dharmaraju by pouring oil in ‘Ganda Deepam’ to prevent hurdles in their lives. Some devotees also performed the ‘Sanigraha’ special puja on this occasion.
Temple executive officer S Srinivas, main priests Bojja Ramesh Sharma, Muthyala Sharma, superintendent Kiran Kumar, senior assistant A Srinivas, Nerella Santhosh, Nerella Vijay, Kalyan Kumar, Raj Gopal and Pradeep Kumar were among those present.
