Bhai Dooj

According to one legend, it is said that after defeating the evil demon Narakasura, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra. His sister gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers. She then applied the ceremonial tilak on Krishna's forehead. It is believed that this is the origin of the festival of “Bhai Dooj



Origin

Lord Krishna is supposed to have visited his sister Subhadra after conquering the wicked demon Narakasura, according to mythology. His sister greeted him with cookies and flowers and gave him a warm welcome. The ceremonial tilak was then affixed on Krishna's forehead. This is said to be the origin of the “Bhai Dooj” celebration.

Significance

Sisters would pray for their brothers' well-being and observe the rituals established by Goddess Yamuna. They pray for their brother's long life by applying a Tilak on his forehead. Goddess Yamuna and her brother Lord Yama are said to be linked with this event, according to folklore.

Deity

Lord Krishna

Ritual (pooja, vrat etc.)

Check the katha and the puja shubhmuhurat. Place the statues of Shri Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, and his spouse, Lakshmi, in one of the chowkis and cover it with a crimson cloth. Light an incense stick and an oil light pointing south. Begin the pooja by requesting Lord Ganesha's blessings. Then present him with flowers, dakshina, and a sweet or fruit (banana or other fruit).

Then, invoking Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, pray for their blessings. Flowers, paan, supari, coconut, dakshina, and naivedya or bhog are all appropriate offerings.

Make your brother sit on the opposite chowki, facing north-west, after praying to the deities.

Give him the kerchief so he can keep his head covered.

Then, using the roliandchandan, make a tika on your brother's forehead.

Give your brother the full coconut (without the shell) and instruct him to hold it in his right hand while you tie the kalava around his wrist.

After that, do the aarti, place the akshat on his head, and finish the ceremonies by giving him a sweet.

Celebrations

In West Bengal, Bhai Phonta is celebrated with a lot of pomp and circumstance. Many ceremonies are performed throughout the event, and the brothers are treated to a lavish feast. It is required that both the brother and sister be over the age of five.

Bhai Bij is a famous holiday in Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa, and it is celebrated with tremendous zeal and merriment. The event is eagerly anticipated by brothers and sisters alike. Bhai Bij gifts are given to brothers by sisters as a symbol of affection and gratitude, which adds to the romance of the event.

BhavBij is a time for family reunions, as all of the family's brothers and sisters gather. In many households, close relatives and friends are also invited to celebrate the BhavBij.

The Maharashtra sweet known as basundi poori or kheerni poori is one of the festival's special delicacies. Sisters offer gifts to their brothers on this day.

How to celebrate (including dishes etc.)

Hindus commemorate Bhai Dooj, Bhaubeej, Bhai Tika, and Bhai Phonta on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar or the ShalivahanShaka calendar month of Kartika. It is observed during the Diwali (or Tihar) and Holi (or Holika) festivals. This day is celebrated in a similar way as the Raksha Bandhan holiday. Sisters offer gifts to their brothers on this day. Yama Dwitiya is the name given to the day in the southern section of the nation.

Two Bhai Doojs are observed in the Kayastha society. The more well-known one occurs on the second day following Diwali. The lesser-known one, on the other hand, occurs a day or two following Diwali.

In Haryana, a dry coconut (called gola in regional language) with klewa knotted along its breadth is also used for worshipping when a brother's aarti is performed.

 

Celebration in different regions/countries including Regional Variance

Gujarat, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand &
Uttar Pradesh,Bihar and Jharkhand, Maharashtra , West Bengal , Nepal


Gifts

Tika Gifts, Chocolates,Pooja Thali


Date & Time

Kartika Shukla Dwitiya


Public Holidays (Y/N and where)

 No Gujarat, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand &
Uttar Pradesh