Diwali and Bhai Duj

Much like Navratri and Dasara, two other major Hindu festivals Diwali and Bhai Duj are insperably related and merge into one another. This wonderful article takes you to "Bhai Duj", the last day of the Diwali festival and a major occassion on its own right. If you like reading our article on "Diwali and Bhai Duj", click here and refer this page to your friends and loved ones. Have a happy reading time!

The Indian subcontinent is inhabited by people of diverse cultures and religions and quite naturally, a plethora of festivals is observed all year round across the country. For members of the Hindu community in the nation, Diwali happens to one of the major religious occassions. It is also one of the very few Hindu festivals to culminate in another sacred festival, also of the Hindu origin.

The fifth and last day of Diwali culminates in the holy and joyful Hindu festival known as 'Bhai Duj', an occassion dedicated to the beautiful relationship between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters treat their brothers with delicacies and good wishes and brothers in turn, offer sweets, gifts, and often a token cash amount to their sisters.

"Bhai-Duj" is celebrated across the country albeit under different names. While the occassion is called "Bhai-Duj" in the Hindi-speaking states, it is known as "Bhai Bij", "Bhaubeej" or "Bhav Bij" in the Marathi-speaking communities, "Bhai-phota " among the Bengalis and as "Bhai-Tika" in Nepal. The festival is observed on the second day of Shukla Paksh, or the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik.

This is an occassion that every Hindu brother and sister looks forward to with great joy and enthusiasm. On this day, sisters perform arti of their brother and apply a red mark on their forehead praying for their long life. They treat their brothers to sumptuous meals, that often include their favourite dishes, mostly prepared by their own effort. In return, brothers give gifts to their sisters as a token of love and appreciation and also swear to protect them whenever need arises.

In Maharashtra, brothers as well as the close relatives and friends invited to the ceremonies are treated to a special
sweets like Basundi Poori and Shrikhand Poori. It is an occassion that is customarily celebrated in every home in the state. While married women invite their brothers over for this purpose, girls who do not have a brother worship Moon God Darpanagayesha as their sibling thus fulfilling the ceremony.

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