Bhai Dooj 2022: Legends Behind Celebrating This Traditional Ceremony

Sisters perform a puja or prayer for the long life and prosperity of their brothers on Bhai Dooj and present them with sweets.

Children celebrating the auspicious ceremony of Bhai Dooj

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New Delhi: Every year, Bhai Dooj falls on a new moon night on the fifth and last day of Diwali. The name 'Dooj' refers to the second day following the new moon, the festival day, and 'Bhai' refers to a brother. It is a festival observed in India and Nepal. The celebration, which takes place two days after Diwali, honours the brother-sister connection. Sisters perform a puja or prayer for the long life and prosperity of their brothers on Bhai Dooj and present them with sweets. In exchange, brothers bless and present their sisters. 

Bhai Dooj 2022: Stories behind the celebration of Bhai Dooj:

Bhai Dooj, like other religious holidays celebrated with great joy and excitement in India, has a number of popular and legendary narratives related to it. These stories depict how sibling love and compassion transformed everyday occurrences into a festival honouring the sibling relationship.

1. Story of Lord Krishna And Subhadra:

When Lord Krishna came home after defeating the demon king Naraksura in battle, his sister, Subhadra, greeted him warmly. She greeted him with flowers, conducted his aarti, applied kumkum tilak on his forehead as a victory and protection symbol, and filled his mouth with Bhai Dooj sweets. During the Bhai Dooj festival, sisters execute a similar rite to ensure the happiness and well-being of their brothers.

2. Story of Lord Yama And Yamuna:

According to mythology, Chhaya, the wife of Lord Surya, had two children, Yamraj and Yamuna. The Yamuna liked to welcome Yama to her home to visit and eat with her because she was such a lovely sister. Yamaraj, who had long refused her requests, eventually made the decision to go to her house.

When Lord Yama, the God of Death, finally went to see his sister Yamuna, she was incredibly happy. She gave him sweets and welcomed her brother to her house and instantly performed aarti before applying roli and tikka to his forehead. She served him special dishes that made him feel incredibly happy and encouraged him to announce that brothers whose sisters apply tilak on Bhai Dooj will live long, healthy lives and never go to hell. Since then, Bhai Dooj has also come to be known as Yama Dwitiya due to the widespread Indian celebration customs.

3. Story of King Nandivardhan And Sudarshana:

King Nandivardhan, the brother of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, missed him terribly after he left his home and gained nirvana. His sister Sudarshana provided him with comfort, support, and care during this trying time. Since that time, brothers have begun to value and appreciate their sisters and have recognised the significance of their presence in their lives.

This festival occurs on the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartika, as shown by the Gregorian calendar (between October and November). Early in the morning, all the sisters wake up and worship and pray to God and the Goddesses for their brothers' better futures and health. After the puja, there is a celebratory rite that includes the application of vermillion, curd, and rice on the foreheads of the participants. They do aarti and provide sweets and water to eat and drink after the ritual. After exchanging presents, they finally touch the feet of the elderly to get blessings.