Read on to learn the importance of Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej and know the stories behind celebration of this festival.Most of the Hindu festivals are celebrated to strengthen bonding between family members and to build up better relationships.To glorify the love and bond between brothers and sisters, Hindus celebrate this special relationship twice in a year – on Raksha Bandhan and on Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej. After the big celebration of light and sound on Diwali, sisters prepare themselves for the celebration of Bhai Dooj. In this articleWhen is Bhai Dooj Celebrated?How is Bhai Dooj Celebrated?Legend of YamaLegend of Lord KrishnaPopular Story of Bhai Dooj or Bhau BeejMeaning and Significance of Bhai DoojHave a quick look at the meaning and significance of Bhai Dooj or Bahu Beej.When is Bhai Dooj Celebrated?Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej comes on the fourth or fifth day which is last day of Diwali celebrations. It is the day when sisters pray to god and wish healthy and happy life for their brothers. Although every relationship has its own value, the relationship between brothers and sisters is unique and unmatched. This day helps one understand the importance of having siblings in life.How is Bhai Dooj Celebrated?In past, married sisters used to get a chance to visit their parents’ house and meet their siblings. Today, the scenario has changed and brothers and sisters wish each other through emails, e-cards and social media. However, sending gifts to sisters are still done with the help of internet. Sisters too send sweets to their brothers with the help of online shopping facility. But some people still preserve the old tradition and visit their brother’s or sister’s house for celebrating this festival without fail. Sisters put the holy ‘Tilak’ on their brother’s forehead, perform Aarti and pray for their well being. Both of them give gifts and sweets to each other. Mythological Legends Associated with Bhai DoojHere are the legends associated with Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej celebration.Legend of YamaOne of the stories behind celebrating Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej is that Lord Yama, the god of death, visited his sister Yami on this day. At that time she had put ‘Tilak’ the auspicious mark on his forehead and prayed for his wellbeing. It is believed that those who receive the ‘Tilak’ on their foreheads by their sisters on this day will never be thrown into hell.Legend of Lord Krishna It is also believed that Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra’s house after slaying Narakasur demon and she welcomed him with flowers and sweets and holy lamp. She had also put the same auspicious ‘Tilak’ on her brother’s forehead.Popular Story of Bhai Dooj or Bhau BeejThe story is about a brother and sister. Once a family had only one brother and one sister. The sister was elder to her brother and when she got married the brother was of tender age. After marriage the sister never visited her parents’ house and hence the brother gradually forgot almost everything about his sister.One day, when he asked his mother about the reason why his sister never visited their village, the mother said that there was a river and a dense forest full of wild animals in the way. People fear crossing the forest and the river also has to be crossed with the help of a boat.Despite of learning about the difficulties ahead, the young brother decided to visit his sister’s house on the day of Bhai Dooj. He prayed to the snakes to bite him after he returns visiting his sister’s house and also requested the river to drown him when he gets back. When he visited his sister, she performed the Bhai Dooj Tilak and Aarti of her brother and also accompanied him back. She packed necessary things so that the difficulties were overcome on the way.The sister met gypsies on the way who said that her brother will die very soon. If she wants him to live she will have to curse and say bad things about her brother until he gets married. As per the advice of gypsies she started cursing and using abusive words for her brother. The result of which was that everyone in the village started talking ill about her. She did all this until her brother was married.After her brother got married and his life was saved, she told the truth about her behaviour to everyone. Everyone praised her as she willingly let people talked ill of her just to save her brother’s life.The custom is prevalent from that time that brothers do not visit their sister’s house on Bhai Dooj, but sisters come home to put tilak and perform arti of their brothers.What is the importance of Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej festival? How is Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej celebrated? When is Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej celebrated?Discuss here.
Read on to learn the importance of Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej and know the stories behind celebration of this festival.Most of the Hindu festivals are celebrated to strengthen bonding between family members and to build up better relationships.
To glorify the love and bond between brothers and sisters, Hindus celebrate this special relationship twice in a year – on Raksha Bandhan and on Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej. After the big celebration of light and sound on Diwali, sisters prepare themselves for the celebration of Bhai Dooj.
Meaning and Significance of Bhai Dooj
Have a quick look at the meaning and significance of Bhai Dooj or Bahu Beej.
When is Bhai Dooj Celebrated?
Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej comes on the fourth or fifth day which is last day of Diwali celebrations. It is the day when sisters pray to god and wish healthy and happy life for their brothers. Although every relationship has its own value, the relationship between brothers and sisters is unique and unmatched. This day helps one understand the importance of having siblings in life.
How is Bhai Dooj Celebrated?
In past, married sisters used to get a chance to visit their parents’ house and meet their siblings. Today, the scenario has changed and brothers and sisters wish each other through emails, e-cards and social media. However, sending gifts to sisters are still done with the help of internet. Sisters too send sweets to their brothers with the help of online shopping facility. But some people still preserve the old tradition and visit their brother’s or sister’s house for celebrating this festival without fail. Sisters put the holy ‘Tilak’ on their brother’s forehead, perform Aarti and pray for their well being. Both of them give gifts and sweets to each other.
Mythological Legends Associated with Bhai Dooj
Here are the legends associated with Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej celebration.
Legend of Yama
One of the stories behind celebrating Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej is that Lord Yama, the god of death, visited his sister Yami on this day. At that time she had put ‘Tilak’ the auspicious mark on his forehead and prayed for his wellbeing. It is believed that those who receive the ‘Tilak’ on their foreheads by their sisters on this day will never be thrown into hell.
Legend of Lord Krishna
It is also believed that Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra’s house after slaying Narakasur demon and she welcomed him with flowers and sweets and holy lamp. She had also put the same auspicious ‘Tilak’ on her brother’s forehead.
Popular Story of Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej
The story is about a brother and sister. Once a family had only one brother and one sister. The sister was elder to her brother and when she got married the brother was of tender age. After marriage the sister never visited her parents’ house and hence the brother gradually forgot almost everything about his sister.
One day, when he asked his mother about the reason why his sister never visited their village, the mother said that there was a river and a dense forest full of wild animals in the way. People fear crossing the forest and the river also has to be crossed with the help of a boat.
Despite of learning about the difficulties ahead, the young brother decided to visit his sister’s house on the day of Bhai Dooj. He prayed to the snakes to bite him after he returns visiting his sister’s house and also requested the river to drown him when he gets back. When he visited his sister, she performed the Bhai Dooj Tilak and Aarti of her brother and also accompanied him back. She packed necessary things so that the difficulties were overcome on the way.
The sister met gypsies on the way who said that her brother will die very soon. If she wants him to live she will have to curse and say bad things about her brother until he gets married. As per the advice of gypsies she started cursing and using abusive words for her brother. The result of which was that everyone in the village started talking ill about her. She did all this until her brother was married.
After her brother got married and his life was saved, she told the truth about her behaviour to everyone. Everyone praised her as she willingly let people talked ill of her just to save her brother’s life.
The custom is prevalent from that time that brothers do not visit their sister’s house on Bhai Dooj, but sisters come home to put tilak and perform arti of their brothers.
What is the importance of Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej festival? How is Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej celebrated? When is Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej celebrated?Discuss here.
