TeluguabroadSignificance of Bhai Dooj
Hindus celebrate Brother and sister special relationship twice every year, with the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj. After the high voltage celebrations of Diwali , the festival of lights and fire-crackers, 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.
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.
Another story says, on this day, Lord Krishna, after slaying the Narakasura demon, goes to his sister Subhadra who welcomes him the lamp, flowers and sweets, and puts the holy protective spot on her brother’s forehead.
One more 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.
In Bengal this event is called ‘Bhai Phota’, which is performed by the sister who religiously fasts until she applies a ‘phota’ or mark with sandal wood 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.
On the day of Bhai Dooj, brothers are invited by their sisters for to savour delicacies which include their favourite dishes. Bhaiya Dooj signifies a brother’s responsibilities towards his sister and a sister’s blessings and prayers for her brother. The foremost thing which takes place is aarti and applying red tilak ona brother’s forehead. Once this ritual is over, the brother in turn gives the sister the most adorable gift in way of cash or sweets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj on Saturday.
“Warm greetings on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj, the festival celebrating the special bond between a sister and brother”, the Prime Minister said.
Bhai Dooj is celebrated just a day after Diwali wherein sisters wish their brothers a happy and prosperous life.
Warm greetings on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj, the festival celebrating the special bond between a sister and brother.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 25, 2014
