India's biggest 5 days festival Dipawali, Day 5: Bhai Dooj
The last day of Dipawali is Bhai Dooj. It is a festival of brother and sister similar to Raksha Bandhan. Bhai Dooj is a prominent Hindu festival when women pray to the Gods for long and prosperous lives for their brothers. It is known by various names in different parts of the country like Bhau Beej, Bhai Teeka or Bhai Phota. On this day, women invite their brothers home and apply 'teeka' or 'tilak' on their foreheads and offer prayers to the Gods and the brothers present their sisters with gifts in return.
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In India this festival is celebrated in different ways but the features that are common in all rituals is the act of smearing a tilak of roli (vermilion), kesar (saffron) and rice on the brother's forehead by their sister as a mark of their love and protection.
There are different stories popular behind this festival. There are some stories I found are-
- One version states that Yamraj, the Lord of Death, visited his sister Yami on this day. She welcomed him warmly by applying a tilak on his forehead. The idea is that anyone who receives a tilak from his sister on this day is saved the agony of hell-fire. The brother who eats with his sister on this occasion is blessed with a long and fruitful life by Yamraj himself, who also ate on this day with his sister.
- Another legend has it that after Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur, he visited his sister Subhadra on dooj day. She gave him a traditional, affectionate welcome by anointing him with tilak.
- Yet another story is connected with Bhagwan Mahavir. After Mahavir attained nirvana, his brother, Raja Nandivardhan, felt depressed and dejected due to his long absence. He was comforted by Sudarshana, his sister. Ever since, Bhai Dooj has been dedicated to the caring spirit of sisters.
This is the beauty of India's diversity that despite of having different culture and traditions one festival celebrated in different ways with respecting each other culture.
This post has received a 20.00% upvote from @jmiller05!
...And I thought it's other way round on this day!
भाई दूज की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं
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