Bhai Dooj भाई दूज
About Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj, celebrated on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya — the fifth and final day of the Diwali festival — honors the bond between brothers and sisters, similar to Raksha Bandhan. The festival commemorates the legend of Yama (god of death) visiting his sister Yamuna on this day after a long absence. Yamuna welcomed him with an aarti and tilak, and fed him a special meal. Touched by her love, Yama declared that any brother who receives tilak from his sister on this day would be protected from untimely death. Sisters apply a ceremonial tilak of kumkum and rice on their brother's forehead, perform aarti, and pray for his long life. Brothers reciprocate with gifts and a pledge of protection. In Bengal, the festival is called Bhai Phota, and in Nepal, it is known as Bhai Tika.
भाई दूज, कार्तिक शुक्ल द्वितीया — दीवाली उत्सव के पाँचवें और अंतिम दिन — को मनाया जाता है, जो रक्षा बंधन की तरह भाई-बहन के बंधन का सम्मान करता है। यह त्योहार यम (मृत्यु के देवता) द्वारा लंबी अनुपस्थिति के बाद अपनी बहन यमुना से मिलने आने की कथा की स्मृति है। यमुना ने उनका आरती और तिलक से स्वागत किया और विशेष भोजन कराया। उनके प्रेम से प्रभावित होकर यम ने घोषणा की कि इस दिन जो भी भाई अपनी बहन से तिलक प्राप्त करेगा वह अकाल मृत्यु से रक्षित रहेगा। बहनें भाई के माथे पर कुमकुम और चावल का तिलक लगाती हैं, आरती करती हैं और उसकी दीर्घायु की प्रार्थना करती हैं। भाई उपहारों और रक्षा की प्रतिज्ञा से प्रतिदान करते हैं। बंगाल में इसे भाई फोटा और नेपाल में भाई टीका कहते हैं।
Spiritual Significance
Bhai Dooj celebrates the protective love between siblings through the divine precedent of Yama and Yamuna. The festival uniquely combines the themes of sibling affection and transcendence over death, as the sister's prayers are believed to shield the brother from mortality.
भाई दूज यम और यमुना के दिव्य उदाहरण के माध्यम से भाई-बहनों के बीच सुरक्षात्मक प्रेम का उत्सव है। यह त्योहार अद्वितीय रूप से भाई-बहन के स्नेह और मृत्यु पर विजय के विषयों को जोड़ता है, क्योंकि बहन की प्रार्थनाएँ भाई को मृत्यु से बचाती मानी जाती हैं।
Key Rituals & Practices
- Sister applies tilak of kumkum and rice on brother's forehead
- Perform aarti and feed the brother his favorite sweets
- Brother gives gifts, money, or promises of protection
- Share a festive meal together
- Visit if in different cities or perform tilak via video call
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Bhai Dooj different from Raksha Bandhan?
Both celebrate sibling bonds but differ in timing, origin, and rituals. Raksha Bandhan falls in Shravana (July-August) and involves tying a rakhi thread. Bhai Dooj falls during Diwali week and centers on the tilak ceremony. The mythological origins differ: Raksha Bandhan is linked to multiple legends including Draupadi-Krishna, while Bhai Dooj specifically commemorates Yama-Yamuna. On Bhai Dooj, the sister applies tilak and performs aarti; on Raksha Bandhan, she ties a protective thread. Both involve brothers giving gifts to sisters.
What is the story of Yama and Yamuna?
Yama (the god of death) and Yamuna (the river goddess) are twins, children of Surya (Sun god) and Sanjna. Due to his duties as lord of the afterlife, Yama had not visited his sister for a long time. When he finally came to see her on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, Yamuna was overjoyed. She performed his aarti, applied tilak, and prepared an elaborate meal. Moved by her love, Yama granted a boon: any brother who receives tilak from his sister on this day would be blessed with long life and protection from untimely death.
What is Bhai Phota in Bengal?
Bhai Phota is the Bengali name for Bhai Dooj. 'Phota' refers to the tilak mark applied on the brother's forehead. The ceremony is similar but has distinct Bengali elements. Sisters draw an elaborate design on the brother's forehead using sandalwood paste, and recite a specific Bengali mantra: 'Bhai-er kopale dilam phota, Jomer duare porlo kata' (I mark my brother's forehead; may the gates of death be forever blocked). The ritual is followed by feeding the brother sweets and a celebratory meal. It is one of the most emotionally significant celebrations in Bengali culture.
Festival Details
- Category
- Bonds & Relationships
- Regions
- Pan-India
- Calendar Basis
- Hindu Lunar (Panchang)
- Hindu Month
- Kartik — Shukla Paksha, Dwitiya
- Importance
- major