Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the Dwitiya of the Shukla Paksha of the Kartik month and is the last day of the five-day Diwali festival. It is also called Yama Dwitiya. On this day sisters apply tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life, happiness and prosperity, and brothers give gifts and renew their promise to protect them. According to the story, Yamuna, the daughter of the Sun, invited her brother Yamraj to her home, applied tilak and fed him. Pleased, Yamraj granted a boon that a brother who gets tilak from his sister on this day and eats at her home will have no fear of Yama. This is why it is also called Yama Dwitiya.

Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, usually two days after Diwali. By tradition the afternoon (Aparahna) is considered auspicious for the tilak. Check the calendar date given above, and see the Panchang for your city for the exact muhurat.

• In North India it is called Bhai Dooj or Bhaiya Dooj. • In Maharashtra and Goa it is called Bhau Beej. • In Bengal it is known as Bhai Phonta, in which sisters apply a sandalwood tika on their brothers' foreheads. • In Nepal it is celebrated with great enthusiasm as Bhai Tika.

• Puja thali, roli or kumkum, sandalwood paste, akshat (whole rice) • Lamp, camphor, ghee • Coconut or dried coconut, mishri, sweets • Kalava (moli), flowers, paan and betel nut • A gift for the brother and food cooked by the sister

1. Brother and sister both bathe and wear clean clothes. 2. Seat the brother on a clean seat. The sister arranges the thali and lights a lamp. 3. The sister applies a tilak of roli and akshat on the brother's forehead and ties a kalava. 4. Perform the brother's aarti and pray for his long life and happiness. 5. Feed the brother mishri, coconut or sweets. 6. The brother gives his sister a gift according to his means and repeats his resolve to protect her. 7. Eating the food cooked by the sister is considered auspicious. Brothers and sisters who live far apart can celebrate by sending wishes on a phone or video call, along with gifts and sweets.