It is associated with the Vaitarani Vrata, observed on the eleventh day of the dark phase of the moon; the Krishna Paksha of Margashirsha in the Hindu calendar, wherein a cow is worshiped and donated, which is believed to take one across the dreaded river as mentioned in the Garuda Purana, verses 77–82.
[5] The Harihareshvara Mahatmya of the Skanda Purana mentions a physical river comprising the Vaitarani that joins in the eastern ocean; he who bathes in it is supposed to forever be free from the torment of Yama.
It is related the legend wherein the river was brought on to the earth from Patala, due to the penance of Parashurama after receiving a boon from Shiva.
I am giving this black cow in order to cross that Vaitarani.The Devi Bhagavatam states that the river is frightening to sinners.
[11] It states that the creatures that fall into the Vaitarani experience foul-smelling fluids such as blood, water, phlegm, urine, and faeces.
The ocean of fire spits out waves of searing flames; the self-willed manmukhs fall into it, and are roasted there.
||9||" (Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj, Ang 1026) I do not know anything about spiritual wisdom, meditation or karma, and my way of life is not clean and pure.
In East Asia it is known as 灰河地獄 (Chinese: Huīhé dìyù; Japanese: Haiga Jigoku; Korean: 회하지옥, Hoeha-jiok ; Vietnamese: Hôi hà địa ngục; lit.
Beings in hell attempt to bathe and drink from it, only to discover that swords and sharp weapons lie concealed beneath its waters.