Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates for five days. The fifth or last day of Diwali is Bhaiya Dooj, popularly known as Bhai Dooj. The reason why people know this festival as Bhai Dooj is that it falls on the second day after the new moon, which is the Dooj day. It is a day to pray for the long life of the brother, referred to as “bhayya or bhai.”
According to religious scriptures, Yamaraj, the God of death, visited his sister’s house after a long period of separation. His sister, Yami, was very happy to see him and welcomed him by putting an auspicious mark on his forehead for his welfare.
Yami and Yamraj then shared a meal. He was so pleased with his sister’s reception that he proclaimed that every year, on the Dooj day, if a sister puts a tilak on her brother’s forehead, then no one can harm her brother. Till date, people follow this tradition. Sisters perform puja for their brothers’ safety and well-being. Brothers, in return, give gifts to their sisters as a token of love.
Another version describes Lord Krishna, after killing Narakasur, the asura king, meeting his sister Subhadra. Subhadra welcomed him in the traditional way by showing him a light and putting a tilak of her sisterly protection on his forehead.
Some other legend says that Bhagawaan Mahavir found nirvana, and his brother Raja Nandivardhan felt very sad and missed his brother a lot. Sister Sudarshana then comforted her brother. Since then, people have revered women during this festival.
The festival of Diwali remains incomplete without Bhai Dooj. People refer to it as “Bhaiyya-Duj” in the Hindi-speaking belt, “Bhav–Bij” in the Marathi-speaking communities, “Bhai fota” in Bengal, and “Bhai-Tika” in Nepal.
The essence of the Bhai Dooj festival is that it celebrates to strengthen the love between brothers and sisters. It serves as a day of food-sharing, gift-giving, and reaching out to the innermost depths of the hearts. Brothers and sisters indulge themselves on this day by gifting each other presents. Varied gifts specially meant for Bhai Dooj are available in the market.
Content for this question contributed by Cori Bartlett, resident of Pilot Rock, Umatilla County, Oregon, USA
