bhai dooj celebration

Bhai Bij, Bhaubeej or Bhav Bij amongst the Marathi speaking community in the states of Maharashtra and Goa. As like Bhaidooj festival celebrations in rest of India, Bhai Bij, Bhaubeej or Bhav Bij falls on the last day of five day long Diwali festival, here also in western India in Bhaubeej festival sisters pray for their brothers long and happy life as they perform tika ceremony.

Yamadwitheya is from the legend of god Yama Raja (the Hindu mythological god of Death)himself and it is one of the most commonly told story of Bhai Dooj. Here, the story told as after Yama Raaj long separation from his sister Yamuna or Yami. On the Dwitheya or the Dooj or the second day of the new moon When Yami met his brother Yama (also know as Dharam Raj) and welcomed whole heartedly, applied red tilak on his brother forehead and treated him a special meal. Yamaraj was overwhelmed receiving the warm welcome from his sister and he announced that whosoever receives a red tika from his sister on the day of Dooj will not be hurled to hell. Since that day Bhai Dooj is also known as Yamadwitheya.

In Bengal, Bhai Dooj is known as Bhai Phota. On this day, sisters observe a fast before putting the Tilak on their brothers forehead. The Tilak is prepared with Kumkum, rice and new grass.We all will look forward to the same celebration this Bhaiya Dooj in 2014.

Bhai Dooj is celebrated in Maharashtra and Goa as Bhau Beej or Bhaubeej. Bhau is synonym to brother in Maharashtra.

In Uttar Pradesh, sisters are gifted with an Aab (a length of flax, knotted into a circular shape and dotted with sugar Batashas (circular sweet drop), post which, they put Tilak on their brother forehead. This ritual of Aab is extremely popular in Uttar Pradesh and is observed in almost every household on Bhaiya Dooj.This Bhaiya Dooj in 2014, we all will witness the same celebration in the various parts of Uttar Pradesh.

ne most interesting variation of Bhai Dooj is observed in Bihar, where the ritual starts with sister cursing her brother, before asking for his forgiveness. This ritual is basically performed for the past mistakes done by her brother. Post this, the sister applies Tilak on the brother forehead and feed him with sweets.Bhai Dooj in 2014 is a very important festival and is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and zeal.

Bhaiya Dooj in Nepal is known as Bhaitihar, which means Tihar of brothers. Where Tihar means Tilak or Tika. Bhaiya Dooj is also known as Bhai Tika. On this day, sisters apply seven different colors of Tika to their brothers and pray for their long life, health & prosperity.Bhai Tihar is celebrated in the various parts of Nepal. Sisters eagerly wait for their gifts, post the ceremony of Bhai Tihar. The same eagerness is witnessed during the festival of Bhai Dooj in 2014.Although Bhaiya Dooj is celebrated by using different methods across the country, but the significance of the festival remains same throughout, as the festival of Bhai Dooj strengthens the enduring bond of brother and sister.Bhaiya Dooj is a festival which unites the relationship of siblings. Celebrate Bhai Phota with same emotions of love and care in 2014.This Bhaiya Dooj in 2014, share your joy and happiness with your loved ones.

According to a mythological belief, Yamuna observed fast for her brother Yamraj longevity and made him have the Annakut food. Today also this festival is called Yam Dwetiya in the city of Mithila. A paste prepared by grinding rice is applied on both the hands of brother. At some places, there is a tradition of applying Sindoor on the hands of brother.After this, 5 betel leaves, betel nut, and coins of silver are placed on the hands of brother. Water is poured on hands and prayer for the longevity of brother is performed. Brothers give gifts and sweets to their sister. Some sorts of change can be seen in tradition of celebrating this festival, in different parts of the nation.

Out of all the festivals related to brother and sister, Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj are the two most significant. As per the story, Yam Dev visited his sister on this day. Yamuna, sister of Yam, was eagerly waiting to meet her brother. She was very happy by meeting his brother. She welcomed her brother wholeheartedly. Pleased by the sister, Yam gave a boon that if, brother and sister have a bath in Yamuna river on this day then they will receive salvation.Hence, having a bath with brother or sister in Yamuna is of great significance on this day. Also, Yamuna asked her brother to take a pledge that every brother should go to her sister house on this day. From that time only, tradition of Bhai Dooj is carried on. Brothers who stay far from their sister, they go on Bhai Dooj to meet her. They get the Tilak applied and give gifts to their sisters.

On the festival of Bhai Dooj, sisters wake up early in the morning. They should worship the family lord after completing the routine work like bathing etc. And give a proper place to brothers on their arrival. A seat is prepared from flour of rice. Brother is made to sit on this. Hands of brother are worshipped and paste of rice is applied on them. Then, Sindoor is applied and flower of Kaddu, betel nut, betel leaves, coins etc. are kept in the palms of brother. Water is poured slowly and mantra is chanted.At some places, sister apply Tilak and perform Aarti of their brother. Then they tie Kalawa on their brother hand. Butter and Mishi are given to brother as sweet. In the evening, sister light a lamp of four weeks in the name of Yamraj and place it facing the south direction. It is believed that if a Kite is seen flying in the sky then wish for the longevity of brother turns to be true.