Lakhs to take holy dip in Yamuna on Ganga Dussehra

Lakhs of faithfuls are expected to take a holy dip in the Yamuna river on Thursday on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, though the concern about water pollution remains.

With the flow reduced to a trickle, the river is akin to a sewage canal.

In Mathura, the main concern is about the river turning dry and moving away from its banks.

"We are hoping the water discharged from Okhla barrage would reach here by tomorrow (Thursday) morning in time for the customary bath," said river activist Madhu Mangal Shukla.

Legend has it that on this day the river appeared on the earth and this occasion is marked as 'Ganga Dussehra'.

"The day is important because the Vaishnavs offer cold water, lassi aur sherbat and take a dip in rivers or ponds before worshipping Lord Shiva," said Vrindavan's Acharya Jaimini.

In the afternoon, people enjoy the day by flying kites with great enthusiasm.

According to Radhey Shyam, a panda at Vishram Ghat in Mathura, it's the biggest festival of the summer when the heat is at its peak.

"Sherbet will be distributed by charity organisations at various places and special puja of the Yamuna will be organised at the ghats (banks)," he said.