The festival of Bhai Dooj is a celebration meant for brothers and sisters. It is a very popular ritualistic tradition which celebrates the warm bond of love and affection between brothers and sisters.

Usually, this day falls on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Karthik. Bhai Dooj usually comes two days after the main festival of Diwali. Continuing with the great energy and vigor of the ongoing festivities, siblings celebrate Bhai Dooj with great pomp and show. The celebrations are similar to that of the festival of Raksha Bandhan.

This year, the brothers and sisters will celebrate the unconditional bond of love on 6^th November 2021.

Check out gifts that you can give to your brother and sister on this auspicious day.

Legends behind the ritual of Bhai Dooj:

There are two versions of legends or mythical stories of the festival of Bhai Dooj.

• Mythology reveals that Lord Krishna defeated the demon named Narkasur on the second after Diwali. After the joyous victory, Lord Krishna went to meet his sister Subhadra. On his visit, Subhadra welcomed Lord Krishna with a Puja arti thali and applied red (vermilion) tika on his forehead.
  
  This ritual became associated with the celebration of Bhai Dooj. She also prepared Lord Krishna’s favourite sweets and savories for his brother to enjoy. Bhai Dooj Puja Vidhi is thus referred to this part of the celebration.
  
  
• The second tale goes that Yama and Varni were the two children of the Sun God. However, after their mother abandoned them, Varni came down to the mortal earth and became the river Yamuna. At the same time, Yama went to the immortal underworld to become the God of Death.

After a few years, the siblings began to miss each other. on this day Yamraj, the lord of death visited his sister Yamuna. He gave his sister a boon (Vardhan), which will liberate whosoever visits her on this day of all their sins. They will be able to achieve final emancipation or Moksha. Thus, the ritual of the brothers visiting their sister takes precedence from here.

Sisters prepare sweets for their brothers just like Yamuna did for Yama. They bless their beloved brothers for a long, healthy, and prosperous lives. Mythologically, this day was the second day after Diwali and thus Bhai Dooj marks the end of the festival of Diwali.

Bhaidooj entails shopping and selecting different outfits for different events. Check out which outfits you should don on this special occasion.

Auspicious Time for Bhai Dooj 2021

• Auspicious time for Bhai Dooj Ceremony - 13:10 to15:21
• Total time duration for Bhai Dooj Ceremony - 02Hours11Mins
• Dwithya Tithi Begins on 5th November 2021 at 11:14PM
• Dwithya Tithi Ends on 6th November 2021 at 07:44PM

Celebrations and Rituals of Bhai Dooj:

This ritualistic festival defines the bond of love and affection between brothers and sisters. This day is celebrated on the second day after Diwali. Sisters pray for the long life of their brothers and prepare sumptuous meals including their favourite dishes and sweets. The ceremony signifies the protection that the brothers offer to their sisters and in return, sisters pray for their longevity and successful lives.

The sisters prepare a thali for aarti for their brothers and apply red tika on their forehead. The red tika signifies the most pure and sincere form of prayers for the brother’s prosperity and happy life. The brothers in turn, blesses their sisters with variety of gifts.  

What are few of the bad habits that you should let go off during these festive times? Find out here.

Bhai Dooj Puja Vidhi:

There are a few ritualistic traditions that needs to be followed on every Bhai Dooj. They are as follows:

• The Aarti Thali for the Puja must be decorated grandly as per traditions. The thali should consist of vermillion, sandal, fruits, flowers, sweets, and betel nuts.
• The Mahurat for Bhai Dooj Puja time must be maintained strictly.
• The brother should sit within the square periphery made by rice/ground rice and await this Bhai Dooj Tika time. The sister applies the vermilion tika from outside the square marked out.
• After the tika and before the Puja aarti is carried on, the sister gives the brother fruits, betel nut, crystallised sugar, betel leaf, and black grams to hold.
• After the completion of the tilak ceremony and the puja, comes the most exciting part of the celebration. Gifts and blessings are exchanged.
• The brother vows to protect their sister’s life and the siter in turn prays for the long life and prosperity of the brother.
• The Puja should be conducted as per procedure and correct timings. Pandits can also be brought in to maintain the authenticity and accuracy of the Bhai Dooj Vidhi Puja.