Bhai Duj in India

When did the Bhai Duj in India start?

The first recorded date of Bhai Duj in India being celebrated on October 23 was in the year 800-1000 CE.

About Bhai Duj in India Holiday

Bhai Duj is one of the most auspicious festivals celebrated by Indians across the world. This is celebrated on the second day of Diwali and is dedicated to the love and affection between brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters light up diyas and exchange homemade gifts and sweets.

On this day, sisters wake up early and draw colorful designs known as ‘Rangoli’ on the floors. Special dishes like poori, aloo, halwa, and varieties of sweets are also prepared in abundance. Brothers and sisters then perform a puja in the morning where they offer flowers, incense sticks, and sweets to the deity.

Bhai Duj carries an unique message of brotherly love and symbolizes the bond that ties the brothers and sisters together. It is also a reminder of the duty of brothers to protect the sisters, just like how Lord Krishna took the burden of his sister, Subhadra from Arjun. On this occasion, sisters pray for the long life and prosperity of their brothers. This festival is celebrated every year with immense joy and enthusiasm and serves as an opportunity for brothers and sisters to strengthen their sibling bond.

Bhai Duj in India – A Comprehensive Overview for India’s Beloved Holiday

Bhai Duj is one of the oldest and most beloved Hindu holidays in India. Celebrated since ancient times, it is an important celebration of the brother-sister bond that transcends human relationships. This special occasion is celebrated in honor of Yama, the god of Death, who is said to visit siblings on this day to receive their love and affection. Bhai Duj has also been known as Bhau-Bij (the day of sisters), Bhai Phonta (the day of brothers), and Bhai-Tikka (the day of brother and sisters).

History and Origin

The festival of Bhai Duj is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and originates from the myth of the God Yama and his sister Yamuna. According to the Ramayana, the vampire Kaal and his assistant Kaalanki tried to abduct Yama’s sister Yamuna. While Yama was trying to save her, the goddess of wealth Lakshmi intervened and ultimately saved Yamuna from Kaalanki’s grasp. Yama showered his affection and love towards his dear sister on the same day and requested Lakshmi to bestow him and his sister with eternal love. This is how Bhai Duj has become an important festival dedicated to love and affection between brothers and sisters.

The celebration of Bhai Duj coincides with the final day of the five-day Diwali festival. On this day, brothers and sisters come together to celebrate the joyous and loving bond that they share. In North India, there is a tradition of brothers visiting short-lived nearby locations on the day of Bhai Duj.

Significance and Meaning

The festival of Bhai Duj is celebrated to strengthen the special bonds shared between brothers and sisters. Bhai Duj signifies the eternal love between siblings that is expressed through gestures of gift-giving, special meals, and other affectionate gestures.

The celebrations also reflect the gratitude of siblings towards one another for their lifelong companionship, support, and understanding. On this auspicious day, sisters pray for their brothers and seek blessings for their long life and fortune, while brothers vow to protect their sisters from any harm or misfortune.

Bhai Duj is a special day that celebrates the love, respect, and affection between brothers and sisters in India. It is a reminder of the duty to protect siblings and serve each other selflessly.

Traditions and Celebrations

Bhai Duj is celebrated in a variety of ways across India. On the day of Bhai Duj, sisters usually prepare a special meal for their brothers. This meal usually consists of a variety of tasty dishes including sweets, savories, and fruits.

At the same time, brothers also bring gifts for their sisters as a token of appreciation and love for them. The meals are served on banana leaves and the sisters offer this as prasad to their brothers as a blessing for their longevity and prosperity.

On the day of Bhai Duj, brothers and sisters also perform traditional rituals and ceremonies. Sisters light diyas (small oil lamps) and perform the Tilak ceremony on the forehead of their brothers to welcome them. The brothers then shower blessings upon their sisters and wish them a long life and good luck. Both brothers and sisters then exchange gifts to express their love and admiration.

Geographical Spread

Bhai Duj is majorly celebrated in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and other parts of South Asia. It is observed mainly in the Hindu community and is a significant occasion celebrated with great enthusiasm.

In North India, especially in regions such as Punjab and Haryana, family members often establish an outdoor camping site and celebrate Bhai Duj by setting up tents and cooking meals. This serves as an opportunity for family members to enjoy the festivities and strengthen the bond among them.

The traditions of Bhai Duj also vary according to the region. In western states such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, the celebration centers around the women of the family. Sisters tie rakhis to their brothers’ wrists and then seek the blessings of the gods for the prosperity and longevity of their brothers. This tradition is known as ‘Raksha Bandhan’.

Modern Day Observations

In contemporary times, the celebration of Bhai Duj has gained a lot of importance. The day is celebrated with much emphasis on exchanging gifts and traditional foods. In some modern households, siblings now exchange gifts over video calls. Similarly, many people have also started to purchase gifts for each other online and send them through virtual delivery services. Despite such changes, the traditional sense of affection, love, and care still remain an essential part of Bhai Duj celebrations.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

• Bhai Duj is also known as ‘Bhai Tek’ or ‘Yamadeepdaan’ in some parts of India.

• The sisters decorate the entrance doors of their homes with colorful designs and motifs to welcome their brothers.

• Bhai Dooj is observed two days after Diwali and is the last day of the five-day Diwali festival.

• Brothers apply a ‘Tilak’ on their sister’s forehead as part of the celebrations

• Although the festival mainly celebrates the bond between a brother and sister, some regions also include other relations such as cousins, aunts, uncles, and elders in these festivities.

• In Hindu mythology, the festival also marks the day when Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra.

• Sisters pray to the gods and goddesses in order for their brothers to be blessed with good health and prosperity.

• Gifts exchanged on this day are usually symbolic of prosperity, wealth, and long life.

• In Bengal, Bhai Dooj is known as ‘Nirjala’ which translates to ‘without water’.

• In Kashmir, this day is known as ‘Lumbha Rakh’ or ‘Lumbha Labh’.

Holiday Wishes

• Wishing you and your family a very happy Bhai Dooj!
• Wishing you happiness, joy, and warmth on this special day!
• Sending lots of love and best wishes on Bhai Dooj!
• Sending warm wishes of love, happiness, and joy to you and your family on Bhai Dooj!
• Wishing you and your family a wonderful and blessed Bhai Dooj!

Holiday Messages

• May the divine grace of God protect you and your family and bring you prosperity and joy on this special occasion!
• May Lord Yama bless you with abundance of love, wealth, and happiness!
• May your wishes on this Bhai Dooj be fulfilled!
• On this Bhai Dooj, I wish that the bond between brothers and sisters is always filled with lots of love, laughter, and joy!
• Wishing you a day filled with joy, happiness and lots of love! Happy Bhai Dooj!

Holiday Quotes

• “Wishing you so much joy and many blessings on this special day.”
• “Let love and luck always be showered upon you and your siblings.”
• “Lovely occasions like Bhai Duj are meant for making lots of love and expressing your deep affection.”
• “It is only a truly loving relationship that makes one capable of understanding and expressing emotions.”
• “What best can describe the eternal bond of siblings than Bhai Duj.”

Other Popular Holiday Info

In some cultures, the tying of rakhi (special thread symbolizing the bond of brother and sister) is an important tradition. In Indian culture, the sister ties the rakhi to her brother’s wrist, and he in turn, promises to protect her and shower her with love and care throughout his life. This type of relationship is considered to be strong and sacred and is said to strengthen the bond between a brother and sister.

The celebration of Bhai Duj also includes the lighting of diya (oil lamps) and candles as a symbol of good health, wealth, and prosperity. Apart from this, special prayers are offered on this day to mark the end of Diwali and seek blessings of good fortune for the whole family.

The traditional dedication to the God Yama is also important to the celebration of Bhai Duj. On this day, families come together, pray for the longevity of the brothers and the well-being of the family, and seek his blessings for a successful and prosperous year ahead.

Bhai Duj continues to be one of the most beloved traditions in Hindu culture and is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in many regions of India. It is a special day to celebrate the everlasting bond between brothers and sisters, and express their love and dedication towards each other.