Bhai Dooj 2019: India celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters

GUWAHATI: It is October 29 and like every year, the people of India are ready to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters on this auspicious day which we call Bhai Dooj.

This year the holy time for Bhai Dooj is said to be between 1:31 pm and 3:49 pm.

It is a festival celebrated by Hindus on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the Kartika month of the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar. Diwali culminates with Bhai Dooj, a festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Bhai Dooj is celebrated across India with great fun and enthusiasm. This festival is celebrated on two days of post-Diwali.

On this occasion, sisters apply vermilion on the foreheads of their brothers and pray for their wellbeing. Sisters prepare delicious food items for their brother. The brothers give gifts to their sisters and vow to protect them from every evil force.

As it is customary in Haryana, Maharashtra to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Bhau-beej, women who do not have a brother worship the moon god instead.

In West Bengal, it is known as Bhai Phonta and is celebrated with much splendor. There the ceremony begins with many rituals along with an awesome feast arranged for the brothers

There are some Hindu mythological stories attached to the origin of this auspicious day.

It is said that Lord Krishna visited his sister, Subhadra after killing demon Narkasur. Subhadra gave him a warm welcome and made the occasion really special through flowers and sweets. Subhadra also applied the ceremonial "tilak" on the forehead of Krishna and that marks the origin of this occasion.

Another story includes the tale of Yama, the God of Death and his sister the Yamuna. It is said that he met his beloved sister on Dwitheya, the second day after the new moon and thus the occasion began to be celebrated as "Yamadwitheya" or "Yamadvitiya" across the country.

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