For
residents of Brajbhumi, the birth place of Lord Krishna, Diwali is a
celebration of five festivals which attract pilgrims from different
parts of the country. "Pilgrims from different parts of the
country participate in these celebrations as a family,"
Goverdhan Peethadheshwar Krishna Das Kanchan Maharaj said. Legends
have it that after Lord Krishna killed demon 'Aristasur', residents
of Brajbhumi lit earthen lamps on the day of Diwali to celebrate his
victory. Continuing with the belief, pilgrims reach the Goverdhan
hillock here and light earthen lamps on the bank of Manasi Ganga to
mark the festival. "Though earthen lamps are also lit in every
temple at Sri Krishna Janmasthan, a mass earthen lamp lighting
programme is organised on the day of Diwali," Secretary of Sri
Krishna Janmasthan Kapil Sharma said. Another festival that comes
along Diwali is Goverdhan Puja, which has a special significance for
the people here. "Lord Krishna protected Brijwasis by lifting
hillock Goverdhan on his little finger for saving them from the wrath
of Lord Indra who had ordered clouds to drown Brijwasis since they
had stopped paying obeisance to him," said Swami Avashesh of an
ashram in Vrindavan. After this, Brajwasis offered variety of dishes
and did a circumambulation of the Goverdhan to pay obeisance. Since
then, the custom of circumambulation of Goverdhan hillock is
continuing, he said. On the day of Goverdhan Pooja (next day after
Diwali), pilgrims perform 'Goverdhan Parikrama' and eat 'prasad' at
'Daan Ghati Temple' and other temples. On this auspicious day,
devotees carry 'prasad' to the Goverdhan from Gaudiya Math Temple in
Goverdhan town in a procession. Another festival that is celebrated
here is 'Yam Dwiteeya' which is observed on the second day after
Diwali. On the occasion, brothers and sisters bath together in the
Yamuna at Vishram Ghat for salvation. "Pleased by the
hospitality of sister Yamuna on this day, Lord of death Yamraj gave
her a blessing that brothers and sisters bathing together in the
Yamuna on this auspicious day will not be bothered by his messengers
and they will straight a way go to heaven," priest of Daan Ghati
Temple Mathura Prasad Kaushik said. 'Dhan Teras' and 'Narak Chaudas'
are the two other festivals celebrated in the run up to Diwali.
Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar attracted opposition BJP's ire today in Rajya Sabha when he said he was not interested in listening to speech of a BJP member on vote on account, prompting the Chair to adjourn the House amid uproar. During the Zero Hour, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien allowed Aiyar, who wanted to ask a question, to do so, which was opposed by BJP members. Kurien asked Aiyar whether he yielded to allow others to speak, to which he said he had no objection and he can ask his question later. As the House got ready to initiate discussion on Vote on Account, Kurien said, "Let us reduce the discussion to two hours from four hours," which was opposed by BJP members including Piyush Goyal who was given a chance to speak on Vote on Account. When it was agreed that discussion will take place as per schedule, Aiyar remarked he was not interested in listening to the speech by BJP member. "You had given me the chance to ask a question
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