Festival of Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Dwetiya of Kartik Shukla Paksha. In the year 2024, Bhai Dooj will be on 26th October. It is a festival of faith and love of sisters towards their brother. Sisters apply Tilak on the forehead to their brother and pray for their longevity.

In Hindu society, this festival is a symbol of affection and warmth between brother and sister. It is celebrated two days after Diwali. This day is also called Yam Dwetiya. Hence, Yam Dev is worshipped on Bhai Dooj. It is believed that people who worship Yam Dev does not have to face premature death.

In Hindus, this festival is also related to traditions like the others. On this day, sister apply Tilak on the forehead on their brother. They give gifts and pray for the longevity of their brothers. In return brothers take pledge of their sisters safety. Brother should have food in the house of their sister.

What is the Mythological Belief about Bhai Dooj?

According to a mythological belief, Yamuna observed fast for her brother Yamraj’s 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.

Bhai Dooj Ancient Origins

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’s 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.

How to celebrate Bhai Dooj?

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’s 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.

What is the Importance of Bhai Dooj?

The festival of Bhai Dooj is also called as Yam Dwetiya. It increases the bond of affection between brother and sister. After marriage a girl dose not come frequently to her parents house. And, people from her parents side also make very few visits to her place. Hence, to have sweet relationship between brother and sister, to remove the sadness occurred because of the distance, to know about any kind of news from a girls side and keeping in mind the other feelings, festival like Bhai Dooj are celebrate.