DIWALI is one of the most well-known Hindu festivals. However, it is not the only one. There are two other less well-known festivals which celebrate the bond between a brother and sister. The one is called Bhai Dooj, and follows immediately after Diwali on November 5. The other is called Raksha Bandhan, and was celebrated on August 2013.

On Tuesday, all sisters will get up early in the morning and pray, asking for good health to be granted to their brother. Following this, they will put an auspicious tilak or vermillion dot on his head, and perform what is called “an Aarti” of him by showing him the light of the holy flame as a mark of love and protection from evil forces. They will also offer him sweets. In return, the brothers will shower their sisters with lavish gifts and blessings.
Bhai Dooj is indicated on the Hindu Calendar to come on the second day of the bright fortnight, or Shukla Paksha, of the Hindu month of Kartika. The name ‘Dooj’ means the second day after the new moon, the day of the festival, while ‘Bhai’ means brother.

Myths and legends
Bhai Dooj is also called ‘Yama Dwiteeya’, as it’s believed that on this day, Yamaraj, the Lord of Death and the Custodian of Hell, visited his sister, Yami, who put the auspicious mark on his forehead, garlanded him, and fed him with special sweets.
Together, they ate the sweets, and enjoyed themselves to their hearts content. When they parted, Yamraj gave his sister a special gift, and in return, she gave him a gift she had made with her hands. Hence, it’s held that anyone who receives a tilak from his sister on this day would never be hurled into Hell.
According to one legend, on this day, Lord Krishna, after slaying the Narakasura demon, goes to his sister, Subhadra, who welcomed him with a lamp, flowers and sweets, and put the holy protective spot on her brother’s forehead.
According to yet another story of Bhai Dooj, when Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, attained nirvana, his brother, King Nandivardan, began missing him so much, that he became distressed. This caused his sister, Sudarshana, to comfort him. Since then women have been revered during Bhai Dooj.

Underlying significance
Like all other Hindu festivals, Bhai Dooj is significant, for it strengthens family and social ties. It also presents an occasion, especially for a married girl, to get together with her family and share some post-Diwali joy.
These days, sisters who are unable to meet with their brothers send their tika, the spot of protection, in an envelope by post.

(By Michelle Gonsalves)