Bhai Dooj 2024: Brother-Sister Relationship Bonding

Love is the special bond that binds siblings to each other. This bond strengthens with growing years as they turn adults from children fighting and making up with sweet gestures and expressions. This attachment imbibed with love, care and affection is reflected in the auspicious and sacred festival of Bhai Dooj.

Bhai Dooj or Bhaiya Dooj is an auspicious and religious festival that falls on the second lunar day of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the Kartika month of Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar.  It is celebrated two days after Diwali and is a part of the five-day-long festival of lights. The festival reflects the mutual love and understanding between a brother and a sister.

Bhai Dooj 2024: Date and Time

Bhai Dooj Observance

Bhai Dooj is a resemblance of love! On this occasion, a sister invites her brother for a special ceremony followed by delicious meals. The festival is all about a brother’s moral responsibility to protect his sister and gain her blessings for his future endeavours. The tradition of applying a Tika or Tilak with vermillion and rice grains signifies a sister’s prayers and good wishes for her brother’s healthy and prosperous life. Feeding sweets to her brother is a way of showing that the sweetness in the relationship may never fade as long as they are bound in the sacred union. Token of love given by the brother in any form reflects the love and fulfillment of promises that he makes to his sister on the auspicious occasion of Bhai-Dooj.

Bhai Dooj  Meaning and Significance

The word Bhai Dooj carries a literal meaning to it. It comprises two words ‘Bhai’ meaning brother and ‘Dooj’ meaning the second day after the New Moon – the day of it’s a celebration.

The day holds special significance in the lives of a brother and a sister. It is an auspicious celebration that symbolizes the strong bonding between two siblings. On this auspicious day, a sister prays for the well-being and longevity of her brother against evil and bad fortune.  Similarly, a brother reciprocates his love by taking an oath to shoulder responsibilities of caring and protecting his sister.

Bhai Dooj Story

Vedic scriptures authenticate a story connected to a demon named Narakasura who was defeated by Lord Krishna. To celebrate the occasion and honour her brother, Subhadra, Lord Krishna’ sister gave him a warm welcome with flowers and sweets. She applied a Tilak on his forehead that signified his victory over evil.

While some believe the festival has its origin from the legend of Yama, the God of Death. As the story unfolds, Lord Yama visited his sister Yami on this day. She greeted her brother by applying a Tilak on his forehead. Lord Yama was welcomed by beautiful flower bands and various delicacies prepared by his sister Yami. Since they had met after a very long time, they dined together and talked to their heart’s content. They also exchanged gifts to express their love for each other. Overwhelmed by the affection received from Yami, Lord Yama announced that whosoever gets a Tilak placed on his forehead on this particular day will enjoy longevity and prosperity.

Following this, Bhai Dooj celebrations are carried out with great love and religious significance. It is observed as Yama Dwitiya in the southern parts of India. As we look forward to Diwali festivities, we tend to ponder about our future events and their possible outcomes. But it’s no looking back with help from our proficient and most esteemed Astrologers who are here with their 2024 Nakshatra Predictions to help you face life’s uncertainties with grace and confidence.

Bhai Dooj Traditions and Rituals

Bhai Dooj is a festival that symbolizes the relationship between a brother and a sister. In states of Maharashtra and Haryana, sisters who do not have a brother worship the Moon. There is a ritual of decorating palms with beautiful Mehndi designs by females in different parts of the country.
On this particular day, a brother visits his sister who warmly greets him with an Arti thali or a plate decorated with a burning lamp, flowers and sweets. She applies a Tilak on the forehead of her brother. A younger brother touches the feet of his sister to show respect and seek blessings. After which she feeds him with hand made tasty savouries. At many places, pumpkin flowers, betel nuts and leaves, and coins are placed in the brother’s hand after Tilak. There is a mutual exchange of gifts between the siblings.
However, the ceremony may differ from place to region. In some cultures, sisters worship a coconut and present it to their brother. Besides, in West Bengal, Tilak is done using sandalwood paste and kajal. As per prevalent traditions of South India, a lamp is lit and placed facing the south direction, simultaneously typing ‘Kallava’ or ‘Mauli’ on the brother’s right wrist and chanting slokas or mantras along with pouring water on his hands. Delicacies made on this special day also differ as per regional customs. Sweet dishes like basundi puri are prepared in Maharashtra on Bhai Dooj, while Khaja, a sweet snack is the main dish prepared in Bengal. Bhai Dooj is quite similar to the festival of Raksha Bandhan. It is an auspicious day that serves as a meeting point for friends and relatives unable to meet due to time, place or work restrictions.
Envelope your loved ones with the blanket of warmth, care and affection. Make the best of this time to get over your shortcomings and  strengthen your ties with family and friends. Seek help from our Expert Astrologers through calls and emails for matters related to Love, Finance, Health, Education, Business, etc.

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