Bhai Dooj: Celebration of the Bond of Siblings in Indian Culture

Bhai Dooj is an Indian festival celebrating the bond of love and respect between a brother and a sister. The festival is celebrated two days after Diwali. The essence of the festival is very similar to Raksha Bandhan. Standing true to its essence, celebrating this festival involves the sister performing a pooja or an aarti for the long life of her brother by applying tilak on his forehead and eating sweets.

In return, the brother blesses her with a long life, good health, happiness and prosperity. The true soul of Bhai Dooj lies in celebrating the love between siblings with traditional rituals and customs.

History of Bhai Dooj

The history behind celebrating Bhai Dooj lies in the mythological tales of Hindu culture. For example, the legend of Lord Yamraj reminds us of the time he visited his sister Yamuna. She performed an aarti, applied tilak on his forehead and offered a meal made especially for him. In return, Lord Yamraj granted her a boon that brothers who receive tilak from their sisters on Bhai Dooj will be blessed with long life and protection from death. Since then, the festival has been celebrated as a symbol of love and protection between siblings.

Bhai Dooj Celebration in Different Parts Of India

As we already know, India is a country filled with diversity in every step, whether it be regional or social. People from all regions have different ways and beliefs behind celebrating a festival and the same goes for Bhai Dooj. Following are the various regions and their different ways of celebrating Bhai Dooj:

1. North India

In North India, many states prefer to follow different customs from each other. For example, in Haryana, Bhai Dooj is referred to as Chauk Pooja, where married women pray for their brothers and tie a thread called kaajal kheel. The celebration also involves the usual exchange of gifts and sweets, making it a joyful occasion filled with love and blessings.

In Uttar Pradesh, Bhai Dooj is celebrated by sisters performing the tilak ceremony, offering prayers for the long lives of their brothers, along with sharing a meal later. Women prepare a special dish called basundi poori, and the brothers give gifts to their sisters as a token of love and protection.

2. Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, the locals refer to Bhai Dooj as Bhau Beej. This festival is celebrated by the sister applying tilak and performing an aarti for her brother's well-being. In return, the brothers reciprocate by giving gifts and sharing a meal often including the traditional dish, puran poli.

3. East India

Bhai Dooj is an important festival in eastern India regions like West Bengal and Odisha. It is referred to as Bhai Phonta in Bengali language, taking place on the second day after Kali Puja. On this day, sisters perform an aarti for the long lives of their brothers. This festival symbolizes love, respect, protection, and care among siblings. In Odisha, brothers would be gifted and blessed by sisters, accompanied by cooking all traditional dishes.

4. South India

In the southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, there is a little variation in the flavour of the festival. The rituals and celebration have a little regional flavour. Sisters prepare special dishes and sweets in which the aspect of family eating during the celebration is emphasized.

In Tamil Nadu, brothers and sisters often conduct poojas for each other's well-being. In Kerala, this festival is an event to exchange gifts and spend time with one another, as done in this festival.

5. Northeast India

Bhaidooj is celebrated differently in the Northeastern states. For instance, it is known as Bhai Dooj in Assam and the celebration is marked by traditional food and gifts. Brothers and sisters participate in the community function to strengthen their bonding with extended family and friends.

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