Bhai-Dooj Festival
After the celebrations of Diwali-there
comes the festival of lights - firecrackers and sweets, sisters in
India get ready for 'Bhai Dooj'. The festival falls on the second day
after Diwali and is celebrated all over the country.
Bhai Dooj or
Bhaiyadooj is the festival of brother and sister, where sisters
ceremonize their love for their brothers by putting an auspicious
tilak or a vermilion mark on the forehead of their brothers and
performs an aarti of him by showing him the light of the holy flame as
a mark of love and protection from evil forces. Then its brother's
turn, sisters are lavished with gifts, treats and blessings from their
brothers.
¤ The Celebrations
After Diwali comes the auspicious day -- the Bhai Dooj. The day is
full of excitement and enthusiasm. Since morning sisters are busy
doing preparations for the festival. They decorate a puja plate with
chandan paste (sandal wood), kajal, morning dew, green grass and paddy
seeds or dhan along with sweets, roli, rice and coconut. Sister's
observes fast till they put tilak on their brother's forehead. That
day they also lay a lavish cuisine, all their brothers' favorite
dishes.
On the other hand brothers also eagerly wait for this occussion.
Brothers sit on a carpet and sisters lit puja lamp, uttering the
mantra, apply tilak of chandan/roli on the forehead, kajal and dew
water with their little finger of left hand and give blessings with
green grass and paddy seeds (dhan and durba). Finally they offerers
sweets along with the coconut to their brother. Thus sisters wish
their brothers long life, good health and all prosperity.
¤ The Legend Associated
According to one legend, on this day, Lord Krishna, after
assassinating the Narakasura demon, goes to his sister Subhadra who
welcomes him with the lamp, flowers and sweets, and mark his forehead
with holy protective spot.
It is said that on an unknown past Yamuna marked on the forehead of
Her brother Yama (the God of death). Even now that custom is carried
on. There is a belief that a sister who has a brother is fortunate
enough. Sister invites brother and brother waits for that with great
expectations. It is a happy family gathering. Feasting, exchanging
gifts and outing are a part of the ceremony.
¤ Forms A Bond
The Bhai- Dooj festival helps to keep and maintain family close and
brings closer ties between brother and sister eternal bond and
prosperity.
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