Bhai Dooj Festival

Bhai Dooj: A Sweet Bond Between Brother & Sister 

The last day of the Diwali festival is as Bhai Dooj festival. “Bhai duj” or “Bhai Bij”, as the name suggests on Dooj, which means it is the second day after the new moon. It is believed that on this day Yamaraj, the Lord of Death, went to his sister’s house . The sister welcomes him by putting an auspicious mark on his forehead for his prosperity.

Another legend is that Lord Krishna visits his sister Subhadra after slaying Narakasur, the demon. On this “Dooj Day”, when sister Subhadra saw Lord Krishna in her house, she immediately prepares a thali and welcomes him with a lighted diya and putting on his forehead a tilak of her sisterly protection.

The history behind the origin of the Bhai Dooj festival also traces back to the period of Bhagawaan Mahavir. It is said that when Bhagawaan Mahavir found nirvana, his brother Raja Nandivardhan was very sad. He felt distressed that his brother is no longer with him. He missed his brother a lot. So he was comforted and consoled by his sister Sudarshana. Since then, women have been respected during this festival.

The day is celebrated with great zeal. All sisters show their sisterly love for their brother. This they do by applying tilak on the forehead of their brothers and pray for their safety and well being. They are then given gifts from their brothers and held in the highest respect.
Another legend is that Lord Krishna visits his sister Subhadra after slaying Narakasur, the demon. On this “Dooj Day”, when sister Subhadra saw Lord Krishna in her house, she immediately prepares a thali and welcomes him with a lighted diya and putting on his forehead a tilak of her sisterly protection.

The history behind the origin of the Bhai Dooj festival also traces back to the period of Bhagawaan Mahavir. It is said that when Bhagawaan Mahavir found nirvana, his brother Raja Nandivardhan was very sad. He felt distressed that his brother is no longer with him.
He missed his brother a lot. So he was comforted and tranquillize by his sister Sudarshana. Since then, women have been respected during this festival.

The day is celebrated with great enthusiasm. All sisters show their sisters love for their brother. This they do by applying tilak on the forehead of their brothers and pray for their safety and well being. They are then given gifts from their brothers and held in the highest respect.

Thus, Bhayya Duj is the festival that marks the end of Diwali celebrations. This festival is popular in different regions with different names, such as ‘Bhai-Dooj’ in north India, ‘Bhav-Bij’ in Maharashtra, ‘Bhai-Phota’ in Bengal and ‘Bhai-Teeka’ in Nepal.