Why do we celebrate Bhai Dooj?
A brother and sister have an unrivalled understanding. They are each other’s most incredible friends, defenders, admirers, and secret sharers and have unconditional affection for each other. It is tough to decipher siblings’ sentiments, emotions, and affection.
There are, however, certain days or events dedicated to enhancing the bond between a brother and a sister. Bhaiya Dooj is one such event that may define the lifelong affection between distinct siblings (brother and sister).
This magnificent holiday is a crucial time when sisters pray to God for their loving brothers’ longevity, well-being, and success. The celebration follows the two-day Diwali festival.
According to the Gregorian calendar, the event takes place on the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the Kartika month, typically between October and November.
When is Bhai Dooj celebrated?
The event that kicks off a brother and sister connection has arrived. In addition to Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj has special importance.
A slew of celebrations accompanies Deepawali, and it’s difficult not to get carried away. Bhai Dooj has been a part of our culture for centuries and is still celebrated today. However, this year has also brought some uncertainty.
Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. Yama Dwitiya is another name for it. Lord Chitragupta is also worshipped on this day. This year, the dates of Bhai Dooj and other key holidays remain unknown.
Rituals and traditions of the Bhai Dooj
To finish the ceremony, traditionally, sisters create a seat for their brothers out of rice flour. A holy tika of Vermillion, dahi, and rice is put on the brother’s forehead.
Afterwards, the sister places Kaddu flowers, betel leaves, nuts, and cash in her brother’s hands and slowly chants the mantras while pouring water on the palm. “O Yamaraj, I am making this sacrifice unto You,” the mantras or prayer said to Yama, the Death God.
A Kalawa is attached to the hand, and the sister does the aarti. A lamp facing south is lighted, and seeing a flying kite in the sky is considered a good omen to have your desires granted. Brothers are also given their favourite desserts and water to savour the meals. On occasion, brothers and sisters exchange Bhai Dooj presents, and blessings are sought from the elders.
The story behind Bhai Dooj
This celebration has a narrative about Lord Yama (or Yamaraja) and his sister, the Yamuna. The plot is as follows:
The Yamuna decided to call his brother over to her house one day because it had been a long since she had seen him. Her brother was Yama, the lord of death, who was always too busy doing his responsibilities to visit his sister. But when the Yamuna graciously invites him to her house for a mea, Yama cannot refuse.
Yama eventually made it to his sister on the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. The Yamuna was overjoyed to see his brother arrive at her home. She brought him inside, performed his aarti, applied a tika on his forehead, and gave him some chocolates.
Yama was astonished by his sister’s love and respect, as no one had ever welcomed him to their home, even though he was the god of death. Yamaraja asked the Yamuna for her desire before departing and promised to grant it.
The Yamuna requested a boon: any brother who visits his sister on this day and eats the food offered by his sister will live a long and happy life, and death will not touch him. From that day forward, the Bhai Dooj festival was observed.
Celebration of Bhai Dooj in different states and countries
Bhai Dooj is a festival known by several names in other locations. The differences in the names are due to geographical differences. Before we celebrate Bhai Dooj, let’s peek at how people celebrate in different regions of the country and worldwide.
Bihar
The celebration of Bhai Dooj, also known as “Yama Dwithiya,” in Bihar is unlike that of most other states. Yama, the God of Death, is said to take away persons others have never cursed.
Thus, it is usual to practice for the sisters to fling insults and condemn their brothers during “Yama Dwithiya,” in the hope that Yama will keep away from them. Following that, as a kind of penance, the sisters cut their tongues to beg pardon.
Maharashtra
The celebration of Bhai Dooj is called “Bhau Beej” in Maharashtra. According to custom, the sister draws a square on the floor, and the brother is required to sit in it.
She then applies tilak to his forehead, performs aarti for him, and even swallows a fruit called “Karith.” The sister prays for her brother’s well-being as well as his prosperity.
West Bengal
Like Maharashtra, West Bengal celebrates the “Bhai Dooj” festival with rituals and prayers. It is a wonderful event since it brings the siblings closer together. It is known as “Bhai Phonta.”
The sister fasts for the entire day while waiting for her brother to come. She then performs aarti on his forehead and applies tilak. This unique tilak is often constructed of kajal and sandalwood.
Nepal
Bhai Dooj, commonly known as “Bhai Tika,” is a major holiday in Nepal and one of the most prominent festivals after Dussehra. Sisters pray to Lord Yama for the well-being of their brothers during the festival. The celebration is sometimes referred to as “Bhai Tihar.”
Muhurat And Significance
The time of Pooja is important in Hindu culture because people want to do all rituals according to the Muhurat and Hindu calendar tithi. According to the western calendar, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on October 26th this year.
This year’s Bhai Dooj puja will take place at 2:43 PM. The second date of Kartik Shukla Paksha will finish on the 27th; if you celebrate on the 27th, the pooja should be performed between 1:18 PM and 3:30 PM. Bhai Dooj khatha is regarded as necessary for this day’s pooja, and all sisters perform tilak.
Pooja Vidhi Bhai Dooj
- Get up early, take a bath, and wear clean or new clothing.
- Make all of the necessary preparations for the puja.
- Please remember that the rituals must be conducted at a certain time. Examine the puja shubh muhurat and Katha.
- Wrap a red cloth over one of the chowkis and set the statues of Shri Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, and his bride, Lakshmi.
- Light an incense stick and an oil light is pointing south.
- Begin the ritual by requesting Lord Ganesha’s blessings.
- Then present him with flowers, Dakshina, and a sweet or fruit (banana or any other fruit).
- Then, pray to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi for their blessings. Flowers, paan, supari, coconut, Dakshina, and naivedya or bhog are appropriate offerings.
- Make your brother sit on the opposite chowki facing northwest after praying to the deities.
- Give him the kerchief to keep his head covered.
- Then, using the roliand Chandan, make a tika on your brother’s forehead.
- Give your brother the whole coconut (without the shell) and ask him to hold it in his right hand while you tie the Kaleva around his wrist.
- Then do the aarti, place the akshat on his head, and finish the rites by giving him a sweet.
