Bhai Dooj – A Festival Dedicated To Brothers and Sisters

Posted on October 14, 2008 in Latest News

Bhai Dooj is a most celebrated festival to represent the love and affection of sisters towards their brothers. The word ‘Bhai Dooj’ indicates a festival dedicated to brothers which comes on second day after full moon. Bhai Dooj is also spelt as ‘BhaiDooj’, ‘Bhai Duj’, ‘Bhai Dhooj’ or ‘Bhai Dhuj’.

When is Bhai Dhooj ?
Bhai Dhooj is celebrated twice in a year – one after Holi and another after Diwali. Bhai Dooj after Diwali is celebrated on the second day (Dwitiya / Vidiya) after the full moon in Aswayuja (Ashwin) month. In 2008, Bhai Dhooj falls on 30th October, Thursday.

Bhai Dooj Puja – Important Ritual of Bhai Dooj :
Bhai Dooj puja is the most important ritual and custom during Bhai Dooj. Bhai Dooj puja is a common tradition or ritual for unmarried as well as married women. Application of Teeka or Tilak (Vermilion Dot) is the popular and most significant event on the day of Bhai Duj. Sister applies a Teeka or Tilak on brother’s forehead.

On Bhai Dooj, sister pray to the God for the happy and prosperous life of her brother.

How To Perform Bhai Dooj Pooja ?
To perform Bhai Dooj Puja, you need to make sure that you have Bhai Dooj Thali or not. Bhai Dooj Thali contains cocnut, batashas, sweets, fruits, seven types of paans, roli and rice. Sister prepares some special recipes for her brother. She lights the Bhai Dooj Puja lamp and performs a small pooja. After that, she applies tilak or tika on her brother’s forehead and gives him mithai (sweet), recipes and coconut.

In some regions, sister is given gifts by her brother. The range of the gifts depends on brother’s economic status as well as his love and affection towards his sister.

Bhai Dooj Puja – A ritual to unite brothers and Sisters:
Bhai Dhooj puja makes brothers and sisters reunite. As the festival is celebrated by married women also, sister visits the brother’s house and strengthens their affectionate bonds. Bhai Dooj exhibits the genuine family culture of India

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