Bhau beej / Bhai dooj
Diwali festivities end with Bhau beej
or Bhai Dooj; the day when sisters pray for long & happy lives of their
brothers. Bhai Dooj is also called as Yama Dwitiya or Bhai Tika. Brothers and
sisters share their love for each other with an Aarti, meal and gifts. This is
the second day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month.
There are two main stories behind
celebrating Bhau beej / Bhai dooj
1) The first one is, the God of
Death, Yama Dev visited his sister Yami (Yamuna river) who was overjoyed and
welcomed Him by performing Aarti and Tika ceremony. Moved by Yami's affection
and love, He declared any brother who would visit his sister, and receive
Aarti/Tilak on this day should not fear death.
2) Another popular belief is that
Shri Krishna (after demon Narakasura's death) returned victoriously and visited
His sister Subhadra on the second day of Kartik month. Subhadra, who was
overjoyed upon seeing her brother, welcomed Him by performing the Aarti
ceremony and applying Tika. She had showered Shri Krishna with flowers and then
offered Him sweets. Sisters perform similar traditional ceremonies, even today.
