Bhai Dooj is a Hindu festival which is celebrated on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha in Hindu calendar. Also known as ‘Bhai Phonta’, ‘Bhai Tika’, ‘Bhau Beej’, and ‘Yamadvitiya’. Bhai Dooj is an auspicious day to celebrate the brother-sister bond. Siblings often anticipate the chance to get together and celebrate their bond on this particular day. The tie of love and devotion between brothers and sisters is strengthened when the brothers show their sisters their affection. Bhai Dooj in 2023 will be observed on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. The shubh muhurat will start when the Dwitiya Tithi takes place on 14 November at 2:38 PM till November 15 at 1:49 PM.
The festival of Bhai Dooj is celebrated across the country in a traditional way. On the occasion, sisters make a seat for their brothers using rice flour. Once the brother sits on the seat, a paste of vermillion, dahi and rice is applied on the forehead of the brothers as a religious tika.
Thereafter, the sister place a flower of Kaddu, betel leaves, betel nuts and coins in the palms of the brother and pour water on it while chanting mantras. Once this is done, a Kalawa is tied on the wrist of the brother and the aarti is performed. The next ritual is to exchange gifts among each and take the blessings of the elders.
In a fable, Lord Krishna is said to have visited his sister on this precious day. Another tradition states that on this day, Yama, the deity of death, paid a visit to his sister Yami, also known as Yamuna. She gave him a warm greeting, put on a tilak, and presented him with delectable food. As a result of her affection, Yama was brought to tears and said that everybody who received a tilak from their sister on this day would be granted a long life. It is similar to the festival of Raksha Bandhan. The brothers are invited for lavish meals by the sisters. The festival signifies a brother’s vow to protect his sister from any harm whereas the sister prays for the welfare for her brother.
Additionally, this legend, which is told on Bhai Dooj, highlights the sibling bond. The story goes that the Sun God Surya Dev had two children with Sangya (also called Saranyu or Saranya): a daughter called Yamuna and a boy named Yama. However, Saranya was unable to endure Surya’s heat, so she gave birth to Chhaya, a woman who looked just like her. She then left her kids with Chhaya and vanished from sight so this festival is also known as Yama Dwitiya and people perform special puja on this day. Want to have vastu tips for home ?