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Significance of Bhai Dooj


sister applying tilak on brother's forehead, on bhai dooj

This year the festival of Bhai Dooj will be marked on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Bhai Dooj is also called Bhaiya Dooj. It is one of the important Hindu festivals most popularly celebrated in India and Nepal and is celebrated two days after Diwali and on the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartika. The festival commemorates the relationship that exists between a brother and sister where through love, protection and kinship they are united.



Mythological Roots


As with many other festivals, Bhai Dooj is of importance to many people and in this case there lies several stories of yah called Yama, whose Yama Yamuna the celebration is associated with.


The Legend of Yama and Yamuna


One of the most popular legends has to do with Yama and his sister, the goddess Yamuna. Legend has it that Yamuna warmly invited her brother Yama to come over for a feast, and he did. On that occasion, during aarti, she placed a tilak on him to express her affection for him, even though he was a god and the deity of death.


Yama took pleasure in her love and blessed her by saying that henceforth, whoever comes to their sister on this day, shall be free from all woes and shall live a life of happiness. This tale reflects the bond that exists between brothers and sisters and thrusts the role of a sibling towards the other in a more profound sense. So technically Yamuna performed the Bhai Dooj rituals for the first time.


The Tale of Lord Krishna and Subhadra


In relation to that, Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra have their own tale. Legend has it that after conquering the demon Narakasura, Krishna went to visit Subhadra who then placed a tilak on his forehead in celebration of his triumph and the Bhai Dooj.


This narrative importantly highlights sibling affection and the safeguarding nature of siblings to one another and reinforces the fact that brothers are supposed to protect their sisters.


Bhai Dooj is so much more than a holiday, it is a symbol of the love and respect shared amongst siblings and the duty they hold towards each other as well. It is an occasion to acknowledge not only blood relations but also the principles and customs that contribute to families.


Rituals


Bhai Dooj highlights the bond that exists between a brother and sister specifically in the case where the sister is younger. On Bhai Dooj, sisters express their hopes for their brothers' wellbeing while brothers renew their promises of providing for their sisters' needs.


Tilak Ceremony: A sister puts a tilak on the head of her brother and performs an aarti which expresses her love for him and her blessings towards him.


Aarti: After the tilak is put on, the sister stands and performs the Aarti by taking a thali, which contains a diya, rice and sweet dishes, in her hand. She rotates the thali around and brings it in front of her brother whilst saying some prayers or mantras in most cases. During the Aarti the sisters chant a mantra for Bhai Dooj thrice.


Feasting: As part of the custom, there is always food to eat which includes dishes made by sisters for their brothers. 


After the rituals, the brothers hand out gifts and money to the sisters as a sign of appreciation. In most instances, cash, apparel, accessories, or any respectable items that exhibit love and concern will form the basis of the gifts.


Conclusion


The ceremonies of Bhai Dooj are a definitive expression of the love, respect and devotion that exists between brothers and sisters. These norms not only reinforce the bounds of the family unit but moreover encapsulate the values of nurture and dependence that are cherished features of Indian relations. Each of the rituals is performed to enhance the emotional attachment between the brothers and sisters making Bhai Dooj a unique day for families. Wishing everyone a happy Bhai Dooj.


 

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