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Bhai Dooj is observed as a symbol of love and affection between brothers and sisters celebrated in India with great enthusiasm. Married women start visiting their parents' place early in the morning to greet their brothers. Sisters apply vermilion on their brothers' forehead and wish them long life. The teeka applied on the forehead of brothers represents firmness, brilliance, honor, respect and faith of a sister. These are the blessings achieved by applying Teeka, "Bhratus tabaa grajaataaham, Bhunksa bhaktamidam shuvam Preetaye yama raajasya Yamunaah Visheshatah" meaning I'm your sister, Eat this sacred rice, For the pleasure of "Yam Raj" and "Yamuna". The bengali version of Bhai Dooj Shloka is "Bhaier kapale dilam phonta, Jamer Duare porlo kanta, Jamuna Dae Jomke phonta, Ami di amar bhaike phonta, Bhai jeno hoy lohar vata." English Translation is I put a "phota" on my brother's fore-head, To make my brother immortal "Yamuna" gives a "phota" to "Yam", I give a "phota" to my brother Brother may becomes tough as iron. |
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Bhai Dooj Teeka is a mark of auspiciousness. According to the Hindu scriptures say: "A forehead without a Tilak is worthy of condemnation and they exist for name’s sake only." Thus, one can very well imagine the importance of teeka or the sacred mark for Hindus. On this day, the sisters makes the arrangement for the Teeka in a puja thali. The place is decorated with alpana, also known as rangoli, aripoma, or kolam, an ancient Hindu religious floor art and its designs are passed down from generations, with some of them being hundreds of years old. The design of alpana drawn on Bhaiduj are geometric and symmetrical, while some nature elements like flowers and birds may be imported. The material used are generally crushed rice powder that are used to make the outline of the Alpana. Other materials such as colored chalk, vermilion, flower petals, grains etc. are used to further decorate the Alpana. |
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A combination of sandal wood paste, red vermilion or a roli is used to draw the teeka along with few grains of rice. The sisters make their brothers sit on an 'Asana' and draws the Bhai Dooj Teeka on the forehead of the brother. There are various methods of applying teeks, but on the festive occasion of Bhai Dooj, sisters usually apply a vertical line on the forehead. The fingers used for applying Tilak are the ring-finger and the thumb. Bahi Dooj Teeka is further decorated with unbroken rice grains. The unbroken rice grains symbolizes steadfastness and firmness of the brain and is also a symbol of peace. When they apply Teeka, they say: "O Lord, protect my Brother from the evil effects existing in this world and from its binding cords." If the sister is elder then she blesses her brother with rice grains and 'Dubya' when the brother touches her feet. After this the brothers are served sweets and then the whole family engages into singing songs, play games and anything that is enjoyed. |
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Bhai Dooj Gifts emotes the feelings of a brother, expresses the gratitude for sharing such a wonderful relationship, reflects all the love shared and fills the heart of a sister with unmatched happiness. Such gifts are selected that are the expressions of good wishes prayers of love and more. But it is not just brothers who are busy choosing gifts for the auspicious day of Bhai Dooj. Sisters are equally enthusiastic about the return gift that they have to shower on their brothers. These return gifts symbolizes the appreciation of a sister towards the love and care shown by their brothers. The warmth of these gifts are felt until next Bhai dooj knocks at the door. |
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