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Bhai Dooj

A part of the Diwali celebrations, Bhai-Dooj is celebrated on the second day of Diwali. There are two festivals on the Indian Calendar that ceremonialize the armored bond between brothers and sisters, one is Raksha Bandhan and the other is Bhai-Dooj. Both the days have parity and quite a lot similarity. While Raksha Bandhan is an affirmation of Brothers promising to safeguard and protect their Sisters, Bhai-Dooj is an affirmation of Sisters praying for the long lives of their beloved Brothers. The anticipation of this festival is quite evident not only for the sisters but their brothers as well.

The festival is celebrated on the second day of Moon. As per the Hindu mythology it is believed that it was on this day that Yamaraj went to his sister in lieu of a halcyon mark on his forehead for blessings and protection. Another angelic story says that after the carnage of Narakasura, Lord Krishna went to his sister Subhadra’s place who welcomed him by traditional Aarti and putting Kum-Kum on his forehead as a mark of heavenly protection. Just like the above two, another myth attached to the divine day is that were Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana, his brother Raja Nandivardhan became quite afflicted as he missed him a lot. Therefore he went to his sister Sudarshana and found solace in her company.

Known by different names all over the country like Yama Dwiteya in Orrisa, Bhav Bij in Marathi, Bhaiya Dooj in the Northern belt, Bhai Tika in Nepal and Bhai Phota in Bengal. The rituals of this day are almost on the same platform as Diwali’s. The day starts by taking bath early in the morning; Families gather at one place and celebrate the day together. Sisters decorate their Pooja Thalis with Roli, Rice, Sweets, Coconut, etc. After the Pooja is over, sisters put Kum-Kum on the foreheads of brothers and tie Tika which is a kind of thick thread very similar to Rakhi on their brother’s wrist. The Kum-Kum is considered to be sacred in the Hindu mythology and has a significance for being pit on the forehead as forehead is the place where the hamsa chakra and agya chakra lies. The Tika protects both the chakras and conserve positive energy in the body.