AGRA, Oct. 23 -- The Diwali festivities concluded on Thursday with thousands of sisters gathering at Mathura's Vishram Ghat. On the occasion of Yam Dwitiya, they took a dip in the Yamuna while holding hands of their brothers and offered prayers at the Yamraj temple, seeking long lives for them.

The extended Diwali festivities in the Braj region started with Dhanteras on Saturday, Narak Chaturdashi on Sunday, and Deepawali on Monday. On Wednesday, lakhs of devotees gathered at Daan Ghati near Goverdhan hillock in Mathura to celebrate Goverdhan Puja and performed the 'parikrama' (circumambulation) of the hillock, which holds deep reverence in the Braj region.

Two days after Deepawali, Yam Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj) was celebrated on Thursday, wi...