Bhai Dooj 2023: Significance, Celebration and Muhurat

This year Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Tuesday, 14th November and Wednesday, 15th November. It’s a widely cherished festival that celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters.

Significance of Bhai Dooj:

Bhai Dooj, celebrated on the second day of the bright fortnight of the Kartik month, is a significant Hindu festival also known as Yam Dwitiya. While Indian families are bound by ethical values, Hinduism also advocates a system of sixteen rituals to strengthen these values. However, to sustain the strong bonds of love, affection, and harmony between brothers and sisters, Bhai Dooj is observed. In Hindu society, this festival symbolizes the sacred relationship between brothers and sisters, and it is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm across all sections of the community. On this occasion, sisters wish for the long life and prosperity of their brothers, and brothers, in turn, offer gifts as a symbol of good fortune. By celebrating Bhai Dooj, you can rejuvenate your relationships with a new perspective.

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Celebration Method:

In the morning, brothers and sisters, after bathing and adorning themselves, perform the worship of their revered deity. Following this, the sisters place rice, vermilion, flowers, betel leaves, betel nuts, and coins on their brother’s palm. They recite mantras for the longevity of their brothers. Subsequently, sisters apply a tilak on their brother’s forehead, perform an aarti, and tie a sacred thread (kalava) on their brother’s wrist. To sweeten the brother’s mouth, they offer butter and misri. In turn the brothers offer them gifts and sweets as well. In the evening, the sisters light a lamp with the name of Yama (the god of death) and place it outside the house. If, during this time, an eagle is seen flying high in the sky, it is considered very auspicious. It is believed that Yama has accepted the prayers for the long life of the brother that the sisters offered, or the eagle will convey the message of the sisters to Yama.

Legend of Bhai Dooj:

The historical narrative behind this festival, celebrated on the second day of the bright fortnight of Kartik, revolves around the invitation of Yama, the god of death, by his sister Yamuna. Despite being busy, Yama accepted her invitation and visited her home, where he was warmly welcomed and offered a meal. Yama blessed his sister, saying that anyone who bathes in the Yamuna on this day and then goes to his sister’s house to receive respect will be free from the fear of Yama. Since then, this festival has come to be known as Yama Dwitiya, Bhai Dooj, or Bhai Teeka.

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