As India celebrates Bhai Dooj on Tuesday, here are the timings and other information you would want to know about the festival.
Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the fifth day of Diwali and marks the end of the auspicious festival of light. The festivities of this day are similar to that of Raksha Bandhan where sisters apply red tikka post an aarti, pray for their brother's well being and get gifts from them.
This festival has several other names:
-- It is called Bhai Dooj in Northern part of India.
-- Celebrated as the second most important festival, it is called Bhai Tikain Nepal. Here sisters offer prayers to Yamraj and wish for her brother's long life and prosperity.
-- In West Bengal it is called Bhai Pota where sisters offer prayers to Yamraj and chants this mantra-
"Bhai er kopale dilam phota, Jomer Duar e porlo kata,
Jamuna Dae Jomke phota, Ami di amar bhai ke phota,
Bhai jeno hoy lohar vata."
This means-
On my brother's forehead I put the “phota", Death's door are now closely crossed,
Yamuna applies “phota” on Yama, While I give the “phota” to my brother.
Let my brother be as tough as Iron”.
Sisters chant this mantra in order to keep Lord of Death, Yamraj away from her brother.
-- Gujarati, Marathi and Konkani community call it as Bhai Beej or Bhau Beej.
There are other names for this festival- Bhatru Dviteeya or Bhatri Ditya.
Here are the timings for Bhai Dooj:
Duration = 2 Hours 15 Mins
Dwitiya Tithi Begins = 01:39 on 1/Nov/2016
Dwitiya Tithi Ends = 04:11 on 2/Nov/2016
Significance of the festival:
According to Hindu mythology, it is commemorated in significance of Lord Krishna visiting his sister Subhadra, who welcomes him and applies tilak on his forehead, after he slays the demon Narkasur. Another folklore says that the day is celebrated for the God of Death, Yama, as he visits his sister Yami who puts a tilak on his forehead.
Here's wishing all brothers and sisters and very Happy Bhai Dooj!
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