Bhai Dooj

The bond of brother-sister love is glorified with magnificence in India with the celebration of Bhai Dooj. The name 'Dooj' means the second day after the new moon, the day of the festival, and 'Bhai' means brother. Two days after Diwali, falls this festival to relish this special relationship. Sisters get up early and make arrangements for the festivities. The sweets are prepared, delicious meal is prepared. She invites her brother at her place and treats him with delectable meal. Before that sisters draw tika on the forehead of their brothers and pray to God for blessing them with long life and good health. Brothers in turn shower love and blessings on their sisters and present them with gifts.

Bhai Dooj is celebrated in most parts of India, mainly in Northern India. Bhai Dooj has different regional names and the traditions differ in each state, but the essence of the festival remains unaffected to the change in name. The soul of the festival lies in celebrating the eternal bond shared between brother-sister. Varied names of Bhai Dooj are- Bhai Phota or Bhai Fota in West Bengal, Bhai Tika or Bhai Teeka in Nepal, Bhathru Dwithiya or Bhatri Ditya, Yamadwitheya, Bhav Bij/Bhau beej in Maharashtra and Goa, Bhai Beej/Bhai Bij in Gujarat.

Bhai Dooj is also called 'Yama Dwitiya' as it's alleged that on this day, Yama, the Lord of Death, visited his sister Yamuna. She welcomed him heartily and put the auspicious tilak on his forehead. She then treated him with scrumptious meal. Pleased by this gesture of his sister, Yama declared this day as a boon. It is held that anyone who receives a tilak from his sister on this day would never be thrown into hell and will have a prosperous long life. According to another legend, on this day, Lord Krishna, after slaying the Narakasura demon, went to see his sister Subhadra who welcomed him with the lit diya, flowers and sweets, and put the sacred tilak on her brother's forehead as a mark of her protection. Since then, Bhai Dooj is a mark of affirmation from sisters that under any circumstance, they will protect their brothers.

Celebrated with great enthusiasm, this festival holds great importance, and it is believed that empty forehead without the holy mark is worthy of disapproval. Every Indian household awaits this day as the festival of Bhai Dooj gives an opportunity to feast together and share the affectionate bond.