Skip to main content

Bhaiya Dooj

Bhai Dooj: Brother-Sister Ritual

Applying a tika
Nowhere is the bond of brotherly-sisterly love glorified with such grandeur as in India. Hindus celebrate this special relationship twice every year, with the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj.

What, When and How

After the high voltage celebrations of Diwali, the festival of lights and firecrackers, sisters all over India get ready for 'Bhai Dooj' - when sisters ceremonize their love by putting an auspicious tilak or a vermilion mark on the forehead of their brothers and perform an aarti of him by showing him the light of the holy flame as a mark of love and protection from evil forces.
Sisters are lavished with gifts, goodies, and blessings from their brothers.
Bhai Dooj comes every year on the fifth and last day of Diwali, which falls on a new moon night. The name 'Dooj' means the second day after the new moon, the day of the festival, and 'Bhai' means brother.

Myths and Legends

Bhai Dooj is also called 'Yama Dwiteeya' as it's believed that on this day, Yamaraj, the Lord of Death and the Custodian of Hell, visits his sister Yami, who puts the auspicious mark on his forehead and prays for his well-being. So it's held that anyone who receives a tilak from his sister on this day would never be hurled into hell.
According to one legend, on this day, Lord Krishna, after slaying the Narakasura demon, goes to his sister Subhadra who welcomes him with the holy lamp, flowers, and sweets and puts the holy protective spot on her brother's forehead.
Yet another story behind the origin of Bhai Dooj says that when Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, attained nirvana, his brother King Nandivardhan was distressed because he missed him and was comforted by his sister Sudarshana.
Since then, women have been revered during Bhai Dooj.

Bhai Phota

In Bengal, this event is called 'Bhai Phota', which is performed by the sister who religiously fasts until she applies a 'phota or phonta' or mark with sandalwood paste on her brother's forehead, offers him sweets and gifts and prays for his long and healthy life.
Every brother eagerly awaits this occasion that reinforces the bond between brothers and sisters and their affectionate relationship. It's an opportunity for a good feast at the sister's place, coupled with an enthusiastic exchange of gifts, and merriment amid the resounding of conch shells in every Bengali household.

Underlying Significance

Like all other Hindu festivals, Bhai Dooj has got a lot to do with family ties and social attachments. It serves as a good time, especially for a married girl, to get together with her own family, and share the post-Diwali glee.
Nowadays, sisters who are unable to meet their brothers send their tika - the spot of protection - in an envelope by post. Virtual tilaks and Bhai Dooj e-cards have made it even easier for brothers and sisters, who are far away from each other, especially remember their siblings on this propitious occasion.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami Janmashtami is a popular festival of the Hindus that revolves around the celebration of the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. This festival usually falls in the month of August or September.  In 2018, it is going to be celebrated on Sunday , 2 September. About Lord Krishna and Janmashtami History Krishna is considered to be one of the most powerful incarnations of Lord Vishnu, who was born into this world to help people get rid of evil demons. Janmashtami’s history dates back to several thousands of years when Lord Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudevaa, who were imprisoned by his maternal uncle Kansa, the king of Mathura. Lord Krishna's Childhood Days There are various stories of Lord Krishna, which speak about his feats during his childhood. According to one such story, Krishna had killed lady demon, Putna and various other demons like Trunavarta, Aristhasur, and Keshi. He’s also famous for killing Kaliya Nag in order to remove poison fr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Jayanti Guru Nanak Jayanti Sikh festival falls in the month of Kartik (October/November). Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak's Birthday and the other Gurpurbs with an Akhand Path, a reading of the Sikh holy scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib, continuously from beginning to end. This is done by a team of Sikh men and women, each reading for 2-3 hours over 48 hours, beginning two days before and ending early on the morning of the birthday. On the penultimate day of Guru Nanak Jayanti, a procession takes place in the morning, which is more commonly known as the 'Prabhat pheri'. Five armed guards, who represent the Panj Pyares, head the procession carrying Nishan Sahibs (the Sikh flag). Local bands playing religious music form a special part of the procession. Sikhs also visit gurdwaras where special programs are arranged and kirtans (religious songs) are sung. Houses and gurdwaras are lit up to add to the festivities. Guru Nanak Dev's life served as a beacon light...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja A prominent festival for the North Indian state of Bihar and certain regions of Uttar Pradesh and Nepal, Chhath Puja rituals start on the sixth day of Hindu calendar month, Kartika. Starting tomorrow, October 24 , Chhath Puja festivities span across four days and are observed to worship the Sun god and seek his blessings for the overall prosperity of the family. The fervour around the puja is marked by offering prayers to the Sun god, fasting and taking dips into the holy waters of Ganga (however, with time people have evolved and become less rigid about this rule). The grandest festival for those who observe it, Chhath Puja is also a stringent one that encourages frugality and abstinence from food and water. Here's everything you need to know about the legend, significance and rituals around Chhath Puja. Legend: While the exact origins of Chhath Puja remain undefined and ambiguous, some believe it dates all the way back to Hindu epics, Ramaya...
Post a Comment
Read more