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The fifth day of the Diwali festival
is Bhaiya Dooj also called Bhai Beej, when sisters apply Tilak on the foreheads
of their brothers when they come to visit them and to pray for their prosperity
and well-being. It is an occasion of togetherness, and familial ties.
Legends
As the legend goes Yamraj, the
God of Death visited his sister Yami on this particular day. She put the
auspicious Tilak on his forehead, garlanded him and led him with special dishes
and both of them together ate the sweets, talked and enjoyed themselves to their
heart's content, while parting Yamraj gave her a special gift as a token of his
love and in return Yami also gave him a lovely gift which she had made with her
own hands. That day Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his
sister will never be thrown. That is why this day of Bhaiya Dooj is also known
by the name of "Yama-Dwitiya".
Past &
Present Rituals
In all likelihood, this ritual
was originally intended only for married women. Since they celebrated Diwali
with their in-laws, this festival allowed them to come to their parent's home
during this auspicious time. It was the time when they got some time to have a
small family get together as well as have a break from the hectic activities of
the previous days. It also gave the girl's parents an opportunity to give their
daughters some gifts, an opportunity they did not often get.
Nowadays however, among many communities both married and unmarried sisters
observe Bhai-Dooj. It is regarded as a day for the brother and sister to meet
and generally re-establish the love in their relationship.
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