Come Bhai Dooj and the only image that clouds the mind is that of a doting sister lovingly smearing her brother’s forehead with the red tika. It’s the day of brothers and sisters! Bhai Dooj is an auspicious Hindu occasion celebrated after Diwali. The festival of Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the fifth day of the Diwali festival and as the word ‘Dooj’ suggests, Bhai Dooj falls on the second day after the new moon.

Rachana is applying tilak on her brother Piyush.

Rituals of Bhai Dooj

On the day of Bhai Dooj, I visit my sisters in (Toronto) to have a meal with them. The tradition is explained in Sanskrit with, ‘Bhagini Hastha Bhojanam’ that means having a meal with sister. After invoking the blessings of family deity, she applies tilak and performs aarti and prays for my happy life. Interesting part is the thali. I love the way she decorates it. The aarti is accompanied by a beautifully decorated thali which contains roli and rice in specific katoris. Thalis are festooned with colored grains, pepper, buds, petals, leaves, beads and sequins. Bhai Dooj sweets are also an important part of the thali.

After this, I bless her and promise to protect her from all adversities in life. She also gets pampered with loads of Bhai Tika gifts or some cash.

Story behind Bhai Dhooj

There are several stories supporting the festival. It is believed that Yamraj the god of death visited his sister Yamuna on this day. Yamuna applied the vermillion tilak on his forehead and put a garland around him, wishing him well. They exchanged gifts and sweets. Yamraj was so pleased that he announced that anyone who gets a vermillion tilak on this auspicious day will never be led through hell’s doors. Therefore Bhai Dooj is also known as Yama Dwitiya.

Another legend emphasizes that after vanquishing the demon Narakasura Lord Krishna went to his sister Subhadra’s house. She welcomed him with aarti (lit diya), flowers and sweets. She then applied the tilak on his forehead. Since then it is believed that on the day of Bhai Dooj the brother goes to the sister’s house and the ‘vermillion tilak’ is a symbol of love and prayers from a sister to her brother.

Bhai Dooj Celebration

Bhai Dooj is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm. It offers an opportunity to strengthen our bond of love. In fact, when I go to my sisters place sweet memories of childhood togetherness are shared in an amiable atmosphere. And exchange of gifts further helps to nurture the sweet bond on this occasion.

The latest trend is the e-Tika. Today, with the internet access, I enjoy the sweet memories with my elder sister who is in India and share my future plans too through internet. The whole day just passes in the blissful feeling of togetherness.

  Author: Piyush Maheshwary and Rachana.K are siblings. This article has been written by both Piyush and Rachana.