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The festive occasion of Bahi duj is a tribute to sibling relationship, celebrating the emotional bond that is shared between a brother and sister. Bhai Dooj in India, is celebrated on the fifth day of the Diwali festival, which falls on a new moon night. The Bhai dooj puja is carried out in the general puja room, or on the same platform that was decorated for Diwali. |
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The sister decorates the mithai, batashas, roli and rice along with the coconut on a thaali. The puja lamp is lit; and after the puja that is performed, the sister applies the teeka on the forehead of the brother. After applying tikka, she gives him a few of the eatables along with the coconut. Married women staying close by visiting their parents' place early in the morning to greet their brothers and those staying far off either take out few days to visit her brother or express their love and blessings through posting greeting cards or e-cards and sending their good wishes. After the rituals are performed, brothers give gifts to their sisters. Generally, the girl of the house is given presents of clothes, utensils, and lots of mithai and fruits at festivals.
Regional Celebrations
There are various regional names of Bhai Dooj, this reflects the importance of unique cultural traditions that vary with different region of India. These regional names of Bhaiyya Dooj reflect the differences in the cultural milieu in the various geographical locations where the festival is celebrated. At some places the customs vary and methods of celebrations differ but it is celebrated all over the country with the same spirit of the festival.
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In Bengal after Kali Puja on the new moon day, light fortnight begins. On 2nd day of light fortnight is Ditiya and that auspicious day is Bhratri-Ditiya (Bhai Duj). On that very day sisters invite their brothers and from early morning keep themselves fasting and very busy to collect the materials such as chandan paste, kajal, morning dew, green grass and paddy seeds or dhan. And they also cook their brothers' favourite dishes. On the other hand brothers also eagerly wait for all this. Brothers sit on a carpet and sisters uttering the mantra "Bhaier kapale dilam fonta, Yamer duare podlo kanta, Bhai jeno hoy lohar bhanta" tilak on the forehead of chandan, kajal and dew water with their little finger of left hand and give blessings with green grass and paddy seeds (dhan and durba). Thus sisters wish their brothers long life and good health. |
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Bhai Tika is the fifth and the final day of the popular Festival of Light called ‘Tihar‘ or ‘Panchak Yama‘ in Nepal. As Bhai Tika is a part of Tihar celebrations it is also known as ‘Bhai Tihar‘. Auspicious time for holding Bhai Tika ceremonies in Nepal is declared by royal astrologer through public broadcasting system on the eve of the festival. On the day of Bhai Teeka, just as the King of Nepal receives tika from his sisters, a thirty-one-gun salute is given by the royal soldiers. Exactly at this time the entire Nepal celebrates Bhai Tika ceremony.
Bhathru Dwithiya is another popular name for Bhai Dooj corresponding with the ‘Dwitheya Day‘ meaning, second day after new moon. Sisters pray for their brothers long life as they perform arti on them and apply teeka on their forehead. A number of ceremonies and rituals are observed on the occasion of Bhathru Dwithiya. It is customary for brothers to visit their sisters on the day of Bhathru Dwithiya and share a meal with them. The custom is called ‘Bhagini Hastha Bhojanam‘ in Sanskrit, meaning sharing a meal with the sister.
Bhatri Ditya is another name of the famous Hindu festival. Its known as Bhaubeej or Bhav - Bij amongst the Marathi speaking community in the states of Maharashtra and Goa. Following the tradition, sisters prepare a special square shaped space on the floor. The square is further embellished with beautiful designs using corn powder. Interestingly, before the brother is made to step into this square place of worship, he is made to eat a bitter fruit ‘ Karith in Marathi. Lord Krishna is said to have tasted this fruit before he set out to kill demon Narkasura. Here, brother stands for Lord Krishna who performed the noble deed of killing the demon.
Yamadwitheya is another popular name for the festival of Bhaidooj and it gets its name from the legend of god Yama Raja himself. In accordance with the legend of Yamaraj and his sister Yami, brothers, till date visit their sister on the ‘Dwithiya Day‘ and have a meal with her. The custom is called ‘Bhagini Hastha Bhojanam‘, this means ‘Having meal with the sister‘. It is customary to worship Lord Yama and his record keeper, Chithragupta on this day. Many people consider it important to take a bath in the river Yamuna on Yamadwitheya.
Bhai Dooj too has got a lot to do with family ties and social attachments. It serves as a good time, especially for a married girl, to get together with her own family, and share the post-Diwali glee. This festival will remain as a day that celebrates the joy of human bonding. |
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