The festival of Bhai Dooj is eagerly awaited in every Hindu household, as it is a special occasion when a brother enjoys a long lasting bond for his sister and vice versa. Though it may sound similar to Raksha Bandhan where sister ties a rakhi on brother’s hand, the intricacies of Bhai Dooj are a little different. There are specific Bhai Dooj puja methods to be followed, certain rituals which include gift giving, and all these traditions are followed very religiously in most of the families. This festival is called by different names in different parts of the country, but the motive behind celebrating it is the same – to celebrate the love and relationship of brother and sister.
As per Hindu calendar, Bhai Dooj is celebrated every year on the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. In India, this festival is also known as Bhai Teeka, Bhai Dooj, Yama Dwitiya, Bharat Dwitiya and Bhai Phota. Bhai Dooj 2022 will be celebrated on a grand scale on October 26, 2022. This year Shukla Paksha of Dwitiya Tithi of Kartik month will start from noon on 26th October and will end at noon on 27th October.
On this special day, sisters apply tilak and pray for the long life of their brothers. The brother returns the favor by giving a bhai dooj gift to the sister in return for whatever work the sister does for her. People honor and worship Yamraj, the god of death during Bhai Dooj. As per the custom, Yamaraja, the god of death, was present to answer his plea while offering his sister a luncheon offering.
Bhai Dooj Puja Material
- Two wooden posts (lower wooden platforms – one for keeping the idols of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha and the other for your brother).
- A red cloth to cover the post made for the gods.
- a cloth or handkerchief
- Roli or kumkum and/or sandalwood for inoculation
- whole coconut with its husk
- A whole dry coconut without shell
- an aarti plate
- two brass lamps
- Ghee or oil for lighting the lamp (one for the deities and the other for the brother’s aarti)
- cotton stick
- intact
- sweet
- betel nut and betel nut
- Dakshina
- flower
- fruit
- Kalawa or Mouli (scared colored thread) to tie around the wrist
- Prepare the bhog Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu.
Make sure your Bhai Dooj plate or thali is big enough to hold all these items. You can decorate the thali on the previous night and keep only flowers, fruits and prasad on the day of the festival. On the day of Bhai Dooj, brothers and sisters are advised to wake up early, take a bath and wear new clothes.
Bhai Dooj worship method in different states
Due to the rich diversity that India is known for, Bhai Dooj Puja Vidhi is celebrated in different ways in different states according to their language, customs and traditions, but with the same belief which is common to all the people of this country. Binds brothers and sisters.
- Bhai Phota in West Bengal: On this day sisters keep a fast and apply tilak on their brother’s forehead. After Tilak they treat their brothers to lunch. You can check bhai phota gifts for brother online to surprise him with a special gift.
- Bhau Beej in Maharashtra: In Marathi, Bhao means brother, hence the name. Sister puts on the tilak and prays for brothers long life.
- Bhai Dooj in Uttar Pradesh: Sisters in UP offer to crystallize sugar and water after applying tilak. Offering dried coconut and water is another custom.
- Bhai Dooj in Nepal: Bhai Dooj is also known as Bhai Tihar in Nepal. Tihar means Tilak. Sisters apply tika of seven colors on the forehead of the brother and then pray for his long life.
Happy Bhai Dooj!
