The fifth day of Diwali is Yama Dvitiya, commonly known as Bhai Dooj, a day to honour the brother-sister relationship. It is the second day of the bright fortnight, or Shukla Paksha, of the Hindu month Kartika in Vikram Samvat.
On this day, sisters invite their brothers to a meal. The whole ceremony signifies the care and blessings of a sister for her brother, as well as the duty of a brother to protect his sister.
According to the traditional rituals, sisters perform aarti for their brother and apply red vermilion on the brother’s forehead as a mark of love, and protection from evil. This ceremony on the occasion of Bhai Dooj signifies the sister’s prayers for the long and happy life of her brother. In return the brothers bless their sisters and give gifts to them as tokens of love and appreciation.
According to the legends, in the Vedic era, Lord Yamaraj (the God of death) visited his sister Yamuna after her repeated invitations. While on his way to his sister’s house, he freed all the prisoners of Hell. His sister was overjoyed on seeing him and prepared him a great feast. On receiving such hospitality, he blessed his sister and also blessed her with a boon. Yamuna said that if brothers visit their sisters on this day then she wishes that they all be liberated from their sins and hence be freed from the punishment of going to hell for repentance. Since then it has become a tradition that brothers visit their sisters on this day and the sisters welcome them and prepare a lavish meal.
The celebration of the Bhai Dooj marks the end of the five days long festivities of Diwali but like all other Hindu festivals, it also has got a lot to do with family ties and social attachments. It serves as a hearty time, especially for a married girl, to get together with her own family, and share the post-Diwali joy.
