Every woman in our country celebrates Bhai Dooj to show her support and compassion for her brother. On this day, all the sisters pray to God for the happiness of their brother’s life. It is widely believed because Yamuna got a promise from her brother Yamraj that only by celebrating Bhai Dooj can one get rid of the fear of Yamraj and even increase the love or feeling between brother and sister. In return, brothers shower their sisters with gifts full of happiness. Like Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj strengthens the brother-sister bond.
Bhai Dooj or Yam Dwitiya is celebrated two days after Diwali. Sisters participate in the tika ceremony to pray for the long life of their brothers, while brothers give gifts to their sisters that honor the bond between siblings. Some other names for Bhai Dooj are Bhau Beej, Bhatri Dwitiya, Bhai Dwitiya, or Bhathru Dwitiya. This day is also called Yama Dwitiya, which falls here on the second day of Kartik month. On Yama Dwitiya, Yamaraja, the god of death, is worshipped along with Chitragupt and Yam-doot, followers of Lord Yamaraj. Bhai Dooj is a Hindu event. It is made up of two words: “bhai,” which means “brother,” along with “dooj,” which refers to the second day after the new moon, which is also a day of celebration. This day is especially meaningful in the life of a brother and sister. It is a joyous event to honor the intense relationship between siblings. Sisters invite their brothers to visit their home and cook their favorite dishes. Sisters also pray to God for their brothers’ health, quality of life, and protection from all illnesses and misfortunes. In return, the brothers fulfill their obligations to care for and adore their sisters.
Bhai Dooj is an important festival celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm throughout India. The ceremony begins with inviting the brothers to a sumptuous feast of their favourite food or sweets. The whole event represents a brother’s promise to protect his sister, while a sister prays to God and wishes for her brother’s well-being. To conclude the ritual traditionally, sisters make a seat for their brothers with rice flour. Here, on the brother’s forehead, a holy tilak made of sindoor, curd, and rice is applied. The sister then places pumpkin flowers, betel leaves, betel nuts, or cash in her brother’s palms and slowly chants shlokas while pouring water. She then also performs the Aarti. A lamp facing the south direction is lit, and seeing a kite flying in the sky is a good omen of wish fulfillment. While savoring the treats, the brothers are given their favourite sweets and water to drink. The event also involves the exchange of Bhai Dooj gifts between brothers and sisters and seeking blessings from elders.
According to Hindu scriptures, Goddess Yamuna was quite close to her brother, Lord Yama, the God of Death. She had a strong desire to see her brother, as they had not seen each other for a long time. When Lord Yama arrived to greet his sister two days after Diwali, Goddess Yamuna, overwhelmed with emotion, placed a tikka on his forehead while cooking delicious food for him. Lord Yama was impressed by his sister’s act and instructed her to ask for a boon. Goddess Yamuna laughingly invited him to visit her once a year, saying that the one whose sister would place a tilak on his forehead would not fear his brother Lord Yama as his sister’s love would protect him. Lord Yama fulfilled this favour, and the festival of Bhai Dooj, which has become a tradition of Hinduism and an important component of the five-day Diwali celebrations, began. Bhai Dooj is a festival that honors the love, bonding, and togetherness of a brother and sister. This event is similar to Raksha Bandhan and has the same goal. The day is marked by the exchange of sweets or gifts between siblings. As a symbol of their devotion and to protect their brothers, sisters put tikka on their brothers’ foreheads.
Bhai Dooj is a national holiday celebrated all over India. However, it is known by different names in different country sections. In Maharashtra and Goa, it is considered ‘Bhau Beej’, but in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, it is considered ‘Bhau Tika’. It is called ‘Bhai Phota’ in West Bengal. In Nepal, this dish is known as ‘Bhai Tihar’. Every woman in our country celebrates Bhai Dooj to show her support and compassion for her brother. On this day, all sisters pray to God for the happiness of their brother’s life. It is widely believed that because Yamuna got a promise from her brother Yamraj that only by celebrating Bhai Dooj can one get rid of the fear of Yamraj and even increase the love or feeling between brother and sister. In return, brothers shower their sisters with gifts and happiness. Like Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj strengthens the bond between brothers and sisters. Tying a Rakhi represents a brother’s commitment to protect and guard his sister from evil forces. By applying a tika on her brother’s forehead during Bhai Dooj, the sister promises to protect her brother in every way. Sisters perform aarti for their brother and then apply a red tika on his forehead. Bhai Dooj is compared to the Indian festival of Raksha Bandhan in that it commemorates the everlasting relationship that exists between a brother and a sister. In this special event, brothers visit their sisters to check on them and share gifts or sweets.
