Bahi Dooj: A Festival of Love Between Siblings

India is a country where all festivals are celebrated with joy and devotion. Bhai Dooj is a festival celebrated by Hindus of India and Nepal on the second Lunar day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartika of Hindu calendar. It is celebrated during the Diwali or Tihar festival. The celebrations of this day resembles to the festival of Raksha Bandhan. It is also a symbol of bond of love between brother and sister. It is celebrated as Bahi Dooj in whole North India during the Diwali festival.

It is known and celebrated by different names or rituals in different parts; such as- it is known as Bhai Tika in Nepal; Bhai Phonta in Begal; Bhai Bij, Bhau Beej, or Bhav Bij amongst the Gujarati, Marathi and Konkani-speaking communities in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. It is also known as Bhatru Dviteeya, or Bhatri Ditya. On the day of the festival, brothers are invited by their sisters for a feast that includes their favourite dishes. There are different procedures that are followed in Bihar and central India.

The entire ceremony signifies the duty of a brother to protect his sister, as well as a sister's blessings for her brother. Sisters perform aarti and apply a red tika on the brother's forehead that signifies sister's sincerest prayers for the long and happy life of her brother.  The festival provides the opportunity to family reunions.

By: Anita Aishvarya

Content: wikipedia.org