Bhai Dooj 2020—Significance, History and Bond

Bhai Dooj or Bhaiya Dooj is a historical and Hindu festival that is enthusiastically celebrated by all the women in India. On this day, they pray for the long life and age of their brothers by putting a Tilak on their forehead and offering sweets to eat. In return, the brothers offer their sisters gifts. However, Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the fifth or last day of the Diwali festival, which is celebrated on Shukla Paksha or on the second day (Hindu month) of Kartik.

History of Bhai Dooj

Story 1

Moreover, let’s dive into history so that we can get to know more about how Bhai Dooj started as a festival. Well, as per the Hindu Mythology, Krishna paid a visit to his sister Subhadra, after defeating the evil demon Narakasura. Subhadra welcomed Krishna warmly with flowers and sweets. Then, she applied Tilak on Krishna’s forehead with pure affection. It is then believed, from here, the origin of Bhai Dooj began.

Story 2

However, there is another connection with Bhai Dooj, which is connected to Yama, the God of Death, and his sister, Yami, or the Yamuna. Once an event happened, which describes that Yami wanted her brother to come to her house, but due to work, Yama, the God of Death couldn’t visit her.

After that event, Yami visited her brother’s home and requested him to visit her so that she could welcome him warmly and offer him sweets and delicious food. As promised, Yama visited him and Yami garlanded and fed him special dishes that she cooked herself.

Since the siblings were meeting each other after a long time, they talked and dined with each other to their heart’s content. They also have exchanged gifts. Yama then announced that whoever receives tilak from their sisters, will enjoy life-long prosperity and wealth, thus, Bhai Dooj 2020 is also known as Yama Dwitiya.

The special day for siblings

Bhai Dooj is celebrated every year on the 5th day after Diwali in India. Sisters invite their brothers and prepare scrumptious meals. The ceremony holds the promise that the brother would protect their sister. It is celebrated traditionally where the sister does perform aarti of their brothers and then apply red tika on the forehead.

What is defined by the Tika Ceremony?

The tika ceremony on Bhai Dooj signifies the bond and prayers of a sister for the prosperity and long life of their brothers. In return, brothers give gifts to their sisters, it can also be in monetary terms. In a certain part of India, women who don’t have brothers, worship Lord Moon as brothers. And, on this day, they apply Henna on their hands.

Different Place Celebrate Different Bhai Dooj

In different places, Bhai Dooj festivals are celebrated differently. In Haryana, Bhai Dooj is known as Bhai Phota, which is celebrated with fervor and high energy. However, there are numerous rituals performed during the ceremony that includes a wonderful delicious feast for the brothers.

On this day, brothers visit their dearest sister’s home and from that time the ceremony begins with an Aarti. On this day, some of the must-have items are needed to welcome brothers such as coconuts, Tilak, Raw rice, etc. however, sister’s present coconut and sweets to brothers. The sister then applies tilak on their brother’s forehead and feeds them handmade savories and sweets.

She also blesses her brother for a long and beautiful life. As mentioned above, the ritual is followed by exchanging gifts between brothers and sisters. However, Bhai Dooj is one of the most famous festivals in India, which is quite similar to the festival of Raksha Bandhan. This festival too, allows family members to meet other relatives and spend some wonderful time together.