Nowhere is the bond of brotherly-sisterly
love glorified with such grandeur among hindu community. Hindus celebrate this
special relationship twice every year, with the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj.
What, When & How
After the high voltage celebrations of Diwali,
the festival of lights and fire-crackers, sisters all over hindu countries get
ready for 'Bhai Dooj' - when sisters ceremonize their love by putting an
auspicious tilak or a vermilion mark on the forehead of their brothers and perform an aarti
of him by showing him the light of the holy flame as a mark of love and
protection from evil forces. Sisters are lavished with gifts, goodies
and blessings from their brothers.
Bhai Dooj comes every year on the fifth and last day of Diwali,
which falls on a new moon night. The name 'Dooj' means the second day
after the new moon, the day of the festival, and 'Bhai' means brother.
