Bhai Dooj- A Festival of Brother-Sister Relationship

Bhai Dooj is a festival that is celebrated by Hindus of the Indian subcontinent and in Nepal, on the second day after celebration of Diwali. The celebrations of this day are similar to the festival of Raksha Bandhan. On this day, sisters put “tilaka” on brother’s forehead and brothers give gifts to sisters. There are various stories behind the festival.

According to a popular legend in Hindu mythology, after killing the evil demon named Narakasura, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra and on reaching she gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers to celebrate the win of truth over the harassment of the devil. She also affectionately applied tilaka on Krishna's forehead. Therefore, some people believe that this is the origin of the festival. Another Myth is that Surya, the Sun god had the twin children’s named Yama and Varni or Yamuna, and they grew up together so lovingly. As with time and changing circumstances Varni fell to earth and became the river Yamuna, and Yama was sent to rule the hell and became the King of Death. After a long time Varni got married and was happy in her life but she missed her brother wanted to see him. Yama, too, missed his sister and decided one day to visit her. Varni after knowing about brother’s visit prepared a great fest and decorated surroundings. It was two days after Diwali and both were delighted to see each other. After that when it was time for Yama to return to his kingdom in hell, he turned to his sister and said, "Dear Varni, you have welcomed me so lovingly. But unfortunately I did not bring you a gift. So ask me anything and I will gift you”. Thereafter Varni asked from him that all brothers should remember their sisters on this day and visit them if they can, and that, on this day, all sisters should pray for the happiness of their brothers. This is how the custom of Bhai-dooj, or bhai-phonta, came into practice. The ceremony starts with sister performing aarti for their brother and applies a red tilaka on the brother's forehead. This tilaka ceremony on the occasion of Bhai dooj signifies the sister’s warmest prayers for the long and happy life of her brother and treats them with gifts. In return, brothers bless their sisters and give them shagun in shape of gifts or cash. There are some more ceremonies according to different regions in India.

By: Anuja Arora

Content: http://www.hindustanlink.com/festival/bhai-duj-history.htm