Devotees believe that those who worship Lord Yamadharmaraja would not suffer punishment in Yamaloka after their death — “Devotees who visit Dharmapuri would not go to Yamapuri”.
It is also said that the devotees would not only be cleansed of their sins but also would be protected from accidental death. These beliefs are linked to the temple for Lord Yamadharmaraja located on the premises of Sri Laxminarasimha Swamy Devasthanam in Dharmapuri of Jagtial district along the shores of picturesque river Godavari. The temple is reported to have been built between 850-928 AD by local ruler Dharmavarma and hence called Dharmapuri.
According to recorded history the Bahmanis attacked the region and destroyed the temple in 1422-36. However, it was rebuilt in the 17th century. It is also called Trimurthi Devasthanams as it houses temples of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
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Dharmapuri temple shrine is also called ‘Dakshin Kashi’ as Godavari flows south here. Devotees from across the country offer prayers to Lord Yama before offering prayers to other presiding deities.
The pilgrims visit the shrine and offer prayers to the Lord after a holy dip in Godavari. They offer oil in “Yamaganda deepam” to get rid of their sorrows and sufferings. Regular pujas are conducted on Bharani Nakshatram day every month. Special pujas are held on ‘Yama Dwitheeya’, this year on October 21. The Yama Dwitheeya, the second day after Diwali festival, marks the visit of Lord Yama to the house of his sister Yamuna Devi for lunch, temple priest Bojja Ramesh Sharma told The Hindu . It is also believed that Yama promised his sister that people who offer prayers on Yama Dwitheeya would not go to Yamaloka and they would be rid of all sorrows and sufferings.
Further, it is believed that people having ‘Bhagini-hastha’ (food served by one’s sister) on this day would enjoy longevity and be cleansed of their sins, the priest said.
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