Bhaiya Dooj - Hindu's Ritual for Brother Sister love

21 October, 2018

Bhaiya Dooj: Renewal of the bond of Brother & Sister

Bhai Dooj is the festival which is celebrated just one day after the grand Diwali festival. Its celebration is much like the festival of Raksha Bandhan that strengthens the brother-sister bond. It is one of the auspicious and a popular Indian festival that is celebrated across India with great excitement. For every brother and sister, Bhai Dooj festival is a celebration. It comes as a day of opportunity to celebrate their bond of love and care as well as strengthen it by following the auspicious rituals. The most important ritual of the celebration of Bhaiya Dooj is the aarti and tika ceremony. Along with a proper Pooja for the well being of their brother. Although, On the day of Bhai Dooj, the sister first takes the aarti of her brother with the holy flame. And does the tika on his forehead and prays to God for his long and healthy life. This is the way of expressing care and love towards a brother by a sister. In this return, sisters get a token of love from brothers as a Bhai Dooj gift.

Ancient Story

Mythology is divided on the origins of Bhai Dooj. According to some, Yamraj, the God of Death visited his sister on this day. His sister, Yami who is also known as the Yamuna, welcomed him with an aarti and after applying tilak on his forehead, offered him sweets. In return, Yamraj presented her with a gift as a token of his love and affection towards her.

How the festival is celebrated

As per the ritual of Bhaiya Dooj, men are not supposed to eat a meal cooked by their wives. Instead, they are believed to visit their sister's place, gift her clothes & jewelry of her choice, and shower upon all the love to her. If a brother does not have a real sister, one can go to a female's friend place. Who they consider sister or can visit a cousin sister's place and give her all the love that he is supposed to give to her real sister. Also, if a woman does not have a real brother then she can do this ritual as a cousin or a friend who is like a brother to her. She performs Aarti for her brother and put Tika around his forehead. If such a scenario is also not possible, she can consider the moon as her brother and perform all the rituals.

The significance of Bhaiya Dooj

Although, The essence of the festival lies in the fact that it is celebrated to strengthen the purest bond shared between sisters and brothers. On this day a lot of exchange of gifts and delicacies are cooked in the feast. The brothers can essentially reach to the hearts of their sister and realize the love in their bond. They share with each other lovely gifts along with sharing the love. As per the traditions, Bhai Dooj is more of a festival for sisters whose brothers are married. Apart from sharing the love, the day also provides an opportunity for all the brothers to visit the home of her married sister and to check on her well being in the new home.

Sh. Amit Saini

Nadi Astrologer, Numerologist, Energy Reiki Healer and Lal Kitab Expert
Enrolled with PhD (Computer Science), Completed Jyotish Acharya and learned various Astrology systems and Lal Kitab from different Gurus.