9 Interesting facts on Bhai Dooj Celebration!

This year we observed the Bhai Dooj on 16th November 2020. This is the 5th-day celebration and marks the end of Diwali. Bhai Dooj consists of two words i.e. Bhai = Brother, Dooj = 2nd Day after the Amavasya (dark moon). This is the festival of love and loving bond between brother and sister.

Let’s see some amazing facts about this festival:

• It is the festival of love that shows the strong bond between brother and sister.
• Meaning of Bhai Dooj is, Bhai = Brother and Dooj =2nd day.
• It is a Hindu festival, celebrated on the 5th day of Diwali celebrations and mark the end of Diwali. It is celebrated on the Shukla paksha of Karthik month.
• In Nepal, after Vijaya Dashmi, Bhai Dooj is celebrated as the second most important festival.

• It is said that in History:

1. Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra’s place after defeating Asura Narkasur and she gave warm welcome to and applied tilak on Lord Krishna’s forehead.
2. It is also believed that Lord Yama met his sister Yami and she applied the auspicious mark on the forehead and prayed for his well-being.
3. On this day Lord Mahavir attained Moksha and his brother King, Nandivardhan was distressed because Mahavir left the Kingdom.

• There are different names given to this festival according to the geographical regional:

1. In West Bengal, this festival is known as Bhai Phota where sisters offer prayers to Yamraj and chants mantras.
2. In Gujarat, Maharastra, Goa (Konkani), and Karnataka it is known as Bhai Beej or Bhau Beej or Bhai Bij.
3. In Manipur, it is known as Ningol Chakuba.
4. Other names for this festival are Bhatru Dhwithiya or Bhatri Ditya. It is also called Yama Divitiya, wherein Yama (God of death) and his sister Yami met
5. Other names for this festival are Bhatru Dhwithiya or Bhatri Ditya. It is also called Yama Divitiya, wherein Yama (God of death) and his sister Yami met.

• This festival shows the responsibility of a brother towards their sister and they promise to their sister to always protect them from every situation.

Rituals are:

1. Arti is performed by sisters for their brothers.
2. Apply an auspicious tilak or a vermilion mark on their brother’s forehead.

• During Bhai Dooj sisters pray for their brother’s long life and prosperity and brother’s gifts sister’s with gifts. A beautiful celebration to strengthen the bond between brother and sister.