There is nothing like the beautiful bond between a brother and sister, it is so full of fights yet so bound with love. One moment you can see them declaring war on each other and the next moment you can see them as a team, with shared secrets and a connection stronger than anything else. This fun friendship is so special that we Indians even have a festival to celebrate it. Sounds lovely, right? And yes, we are talking about Bhai Dooj only! As Bhai Dooj 2024 is just around the corner, let’s see what this festival is all about and learn about the significance of Bhai Dooj!
What is Bhai Dooj?
Bhai Dooj is a Hindu festival that is observed on the second day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu lunar month of Kartika which mostly happens in October or November. Imagine having a day dedicated entirely to brothers and sisters, where you get to show some extra love and appreciation for each other! That is exactly what Bhai Dooj is and is also known as Bhau-Beej, Bhai Phota, or even Bhai Fota in different parts of the country.
When is Bhai Dooj 2024?
Bhai Dooj 2024 will be celebrated on 3rd November 2024, which means that it will be celebrated on the second day after Diwali.
image credit:- Times of India
Meaning & Significance of Bhai Dooj Festival
Like any other festival, the name pretty much explains most things about Bhai Dhooj. ‘Bhai Dooj’ is made up of two words - ‘Bhai’ meaning brother and ‘Dooj’ meaning the second day after the new moon, which is the day of its celebration. Pretty cool, right? The significance of Bhai Dooj lies in how it symbolises the unconditional love between a brother and a sister so beautifully.
Bhai Dooj is not just of cultural importance but of emotional importance as well. We mean which brother doesn’t feel nostalgic and emotional when it comes to their sisters?! By the way, it’s the sisters who perform the rituals and become the torchbearers of the tradition, which is reflective of their pivotal role in families. The brothers show their gratitude and love by pledging to safeguard their sisters. In a way, Bhai Dooj is similar to Raksha Bandhan, with how it celebrates sibling love and reaffirms the protective nature of brother-sister bonds.
Image Credit:- Hemant Mehta/getty images
Rituals of Bhai Dooj
The day of Bhai Dooj begins with an early bath which is said to purify the mind and body. The main event of the day is Bhai Dooj rituals like the Tilak ceremony where the sister applies a tilak or tika on her brother’s forehead, accompanied by a special mantra praying for his long life. This is followed by an aarti and the offering of sweets.
The Bhai Dooj rituals conclude with an exchange of gifts, where the brother gives his sister a token of his love. In some regions, the sister also gives her brother a coconut, a symbol of purity.
If you are looking for some unique and special bhaidooj gifting options then iTokri has got your back. From special Homemade bhai dooj sweets like Kaju Katli to enchanting perfumes and everything in between, you can select a wide range of gifts for your dearest brother. Not just this but you can also check out traditionally designed Kurtas and shirts for your brother.
How Is Bhai Dooj Celebrated In Different Parts Of India?
Bhai Dooj is known and celebrated in different ways in various parts of India. In West Bengal and Assam, it’s known as Bhai Phota and the Bhai Dooj rituals there include sisters applying a sandalwood paste tika on their brothers’ foreheads and offering them sweets. The ritual is believed to protect the brothers from evil forces and ensure their well-being.
In Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and Karnataka, the festival is known as Bhau Beej or Bhav Bij. Here, sisters draw a square on the floor and brothers are supposed to sit inside the square while the rituals are performed. The sisters then apply a tika on their brothers’ foreheads and offer prayers for their long life.
No Indian festival is complete without gifts and gifting is an integral part of Bhai Dooj celebrations as well. Hence, it’s not just the sisters who surprise their brother with gifts but brother’s too make their sisters feel special with amazing gifts. Brothers offer their sisters gifts as a token of their love. These gifts can range from chocolates, dry fruits, and sweets to personalized items like mugs, cushions or even clothes.
You can gift your sister stylish sarees, handmade diaries and notebooks from iTokri or if you are looking for something more subtle, you can try out these fragrant Natural Attar perfumes by iTokri as well.
So, even if you're the older bro with a knack for cracking corny jokes or the protective sis armed with an endless supply of gossip and snacks, Bhai Dooj is all about embracing the silly, the sweet, and the downright awesome moments that make up siblinghood. Don’t forget about the gifts and make the most of this Bhai Dooj 2024 by getting the best gifts for each other. iTokri has specially curated a Bhai Dooj collection, where you can find everything from hampers to shirts and even idols and figurines. Do check them out and have a blast of this Bhai Dooj and cherishing of your beautiful brother- sister bond!!
Image credit:- Funny quotes/pinterest
FAQ
What is Bhai Dooj and why is it celebrated?
Bhai Dooj is an Indian festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated to show how special the love and friendship between them are.
What is the difference between Rakhi and Bhai Dooj?
Even though both festivals celebrate the bond between siblings, Rakhi is specifically for brothers, where sisters tie a protective thread on their brothers' wrists, while Bhai Dooj involves sisters performing aarti for their brothers, symbolizing their love and prayers for their well-being.
Which God is Worshipped on Bhai Dooj?
On Bhai Dooj, the God of Death, Lord Yama is worshipped even though pujas for Lord Vishnu are also done.
S K Vaithianathan
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The legend is Lord Yama visited on this day ie 2. nd day after Diwali his sister Yamuna (river) and gave her lot of gifts as she was very happy she cooked very good food for him and paid respects by placing sandal paste and vermillion on his forehead So this festival is to celebrate the special love between the brother and sister