Our country is called the country of festivals. Here, every month, some or other festival is definitely celebrated. Holi, Diwali, Eid, and Rakshabandhan are some main festivals of India.
Diwali is the main festival among all that is celebrated for 5 days in Kartik Month and the 5th day of which is celebrated as Bhai-Dooj.
Bhai Dooj- Special Festival of Brothers and Sisters.
Bhai-Dooj festival is also known as Yama Dwitiya or Bhai-Tika.
This festival is a symbol of very special and strong bond of love and protection between a sister and a brother.
The festival is a reflection of the distinctive bonds of siblings in a religious manner. On this day, sisters wish for happy, healthy and wealthy life of their brothers and offer prayers to God to bless them, whereas brothers also promise to sisters for their lifetime protection .
Bhai Dooj
The name of the festival tells enough about this special day, that really has special significance for brothers. Infact this festival is very similar to Rakshabandhan festival and is celebrated in the month of October and November generally. This day is celebrated every year in India.
When is Bhai-Dooj celebrated?
Every festival has its own mythological and historical importance. Hence this festival is also celebrated on a particular day. According to Hindu Calendar, this festival is celebrated on the second day of Shukla Paksha in the Kartik Month. It is also known as Yama Dwitiya.
Origin, Meaning and Significance of Bhai-Dooj
According to legend, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra on the day that is known as Diwali after killing the demon Narakasura. Subhadra welcomed him by anointing a tilak on his forehead. This day has become Bhai- Dooj since that day.
Another legend is about the story of Yama, the God of Death and his sister Yamuna. Yamuna used to kindly request her brother Yama to come and have meal at her house, but Yama always refused to come. Then one day, Yamuna was so pleased after seeing her brother on her doorstep. It was the day of Shukla Dwitiya of Kartik month. She welcomed him warmly and offered meal to him. Brother Yama offered her to demand for anything. Then she requested him to come every year to her house and to accept her hospitality, and also which sister would Donn a tilak on her brother’s forehead on that day, Yama would not harm those brothers and sisters. Yama replied-“Tathastu” and went back to Yampuri.This is propounded that brothers who take bath and accept their sister’s hospitality with due respect on this day, Yama does not scathe them.
How Bhai Dooj is celebrated in different states in India!
Apart from India, this festival is celebrated in Nepal also. Bhai Dooj is known by different names in various states in India but it has the same significance in all states.
Nepal
Bhai Dooj or “Bhai Tika” is very popular in Nepal and is also one of the most important festivals after Dussehra. On this day, sisters offer prayers to Lord Yama for the safety of their brothers. The festival is also known as “Bhai Tihar“.
Bihar – The celebration of Bhai Dooj, known as “Yama Dwithiya”, in Bihar is completely different . It is recognized that Yama, the God of Death, takes away people who have never been cursed by others.
Thus, during “Yama Dwithiya”, it is the tradition for the sisters to shout insults and rude language at their brothers angrily, with the hope that Yama will not harm them. Thereafter, in order to repent and consolation, the sisters bite their own tongues as a form of punishment.
It is believed that this mannerism of theirs would protect their brothers from Lord Yama. After this ceremony, the brothers offer lovely gifts to their sisters.
Maharashtra – In Maharashtra, the festival of Bhai Dooj is known as “Bhau Beej’. According to the custom, the sister draws a square on the floor and the brother has to sit in it. After that, she applies tilak on his forehead, performs aarti for him.The sister prays for her brother’s well-being and prays for his prosperous life.
West Bengal – Just like Maharashtra, the festival of “Bhai Dooj” is also celebrated with special rituals and prayers in West Bengal known as “Bhai Phonta”, it is considered to be a special occasion as it brings the siblings closer and thus multiplies happiness and care for each other.
The sister keeps fast for the whole day and waits eagerly for her brother to arrive. The special tilak is usually made of kajal and sandalwood. After the aarti is performed, the sister offers prayers for her brother and they both give gifts to each other.
The Pooja Thali has great importance on the festival of Bhai Dooj.It is beautifully decorated with Roli, rice, flowers, sweets, Mouli Thread, fruits and a concentrated liquid made of chandan for applying Tikka. Sisters perform Aarti for their brothers using this beautiful Pooja Thali.
Rice Flour is used to draw a square in which brother has to sit to complete the ceremony.
Mauli Thread is observed as most pious and protective thread according to Hindu Religion. It is considered that this thread tied on brother’s hand protects him from all evils and brings positivity to him.
A Dia is lit while performing Aarti.
Dried Coconut is given to brothers by their sisters after completing the ceremony.
Using Pooja Thali,sisters put tilak on brother’s forehead and perform aarti in front of them and pray to God for their healthy,wealthy and happy life. Brothers cover their head while doing the ceremony according to the custom.
After completing the ceremony, brothers and sisters give lovely gifts to each other and seek blessings from their elders.
Few lines showing the strong bond and love between a brother and a sister
We had a beautiful childhood
That’s more precious than gold.
Mom and Dad had it hard
But we were never hungry and unclothed.
I am thankful that we were loved
This was the richness that filled our hearts.
Now I am getting older
I am happy we loved each other.
I want to say it today to you
My love will never stop for you.
Conclusion
We all need some reasons to change our daily routine and our festivals provide us the best reason for this.
So we should definitely celebrate festivals and motivate others for doing so as it proves helpful in many ways. It keeps us relaxed, stress-free and reminds that we are a part of great Indian Culture.
