Bhai Dooj

THE NAME of Bhai Dooj refers to two terms namely Bhai that means Brother and Dooj that stands for the second day after the new moon. Bhai Duj is celebrated every year usually in the month of October-November, two days after Diwali festival.
2010 Bhai Dooj Festival on November 7

History Behind Bhai Duj

Long time back, Surya, the sun God, was married to a beautiful princess called Samjna (also prounced as Sangya). In course of a year, she presented Him with twins. The twins were christened Yama, and Varni or Yamuna, and they grew up together.

However, Samjna, after some time, were unable to bear the brilliance of her husband, decided to go back to earth. However, she left her shadow, Chaya, her exact replica, behind, so that to Surya, it would appear that she is still there.However, Chhaya turned out to be a cruel stepmother and was very unkind to the twins. She soon gave birth to her own children, and convinced Surya to drive out Samjna’s twins from the heaven. Varni fell to earth and became the river Yamuna, and Yama went to the underworld (hell) and became the King of Death.

Years passed. Varni married a handsome prince and was haapy in her life but she missed her brother wanted to see him. Yama, too, missed his sister and decided one day to visit her.

After hearing the news of her brother's visit, Varni prepared a great feast in his honor. It was two days after Deepavali, so her home was already decorated. Yama, too, was delighted by his sister's loving welcome, and brother and sister spent a pleasant evening in each other's company, after their long period of separation.

When it was time for Yama to return to his kingdom in hell, he turned to his sister and said, "Dear Varni, you have welcomed me so lovingly. But I did not bring you a gift. Ask, therefore, for something and it will be yours." So inreturn Varni asked from him that all brothers should remember their sisters on this day and visit them if they can, and that, on this day, all sisters should pray for the happiness of their brothers. This is how the custom of Bhai-duj, or bhai-phonta, came into practice.

Another myth for celebrating this occassion is that on this day Lord Krishna, after assassinating the Narakasura demon, goes to his sister Subhadra who welcomes him with the lamp, flowers and sweets, and mark his forehead with holy protective spot.

Bhai Duj is celebrated also because on this day Bhagawaan Mahavir found nirvana, his brother Raja Nandivardhan was distressed because he missed him and was comforted by his sister Sudarshana. Since then, women have been revered during this festival.