Bhai Dooj

The festival known as "Bhai Dooj," "Bhai Tika," "Bhratri Dwitiya," and "Yamadvitiya" is described in the Skanda Purana. When Narada inquired, Lord Brahma described Yamadvitiya as follows:

Method

Brahma: Lord Brahma said to Narada that Yamadvitiya is a vow to overcome death. On the day of Dwitiya (second day of the lunar fortnight), rise during the Brahma Muhurta (auspicious time before dawn) and contemplate beneficial thoughts. After performing daily duties, take a morning bath. Then, wear white clothes, adorn yourself with a flower garland and sandalwood paste. Afterward, go under a Gular tree (cluster fig tree).

There, create an excellent circular design and make a lotus with eight petals. Then, invoke and worship Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Saraswati within that circle with a focused mind. Perform worship using sandalwood, musk, saffron, flowers, incense, offering, and coconut. To ward off untimely death, Donate a milking cow.

Distribute fruits and other offerings to family members and pay respects to the elders in your family. Then, visit your sister's house and, while paying respects to her, say, "Sister, you are fortunate and auspicious. I have come to bow to your feet for my well-being." With these words, offer your respects to your sister.

At that point, your sister should respond with kind words to her excellent brother: "Brother, seeing you today, I have become blessed. Truly, today I am full of auspiciousness. Brother, for the sake of my increased lifespan, you should dine at my home today."

On this day, brothers visit their sisters' homes. Sisters apply a tilak (vermilion mark) on their brothers' foreheads, perform an aarti (ritual of worship with lamps), offer sweets, and pray to Yamaraj, the god of death, for their brothers' long lives. The brothers express their affection for their sisters, wishing them everlasting happiness. Sisters pray to Yamaraj for the well-being of their brothers. Brothers promise to protect their sisters and offer them gifts after sharing a meal.

Story

In the realm of mythological stories, it is said that once, Yamuna, the sister of Yamaraj, welcomed her brother to her home. As her brother arrived, Yamuna applied a tilak on his forehead . Then, she served him delicious sweets and arranged a delectable feast. Following the feast, she offered fruits to him. Seeing her warm hospitality, Yamaraj expressed his contentment and told his sister that he was pleased with her.

Upon hearing this, Yamuna said, "Brother, if you are pleased with me, grant me a boon. May this bond of love between brothers and sisters endure forever." Yamaraj agreed and granted her wish.

Yamaraj explained that any brother who visits his sister's home on this day and partakes in a meal will be relieved of all troubles. However, considering that not everyone may have younger sisters, Yamaraj further stated that if someone lacks a younger sister, they could visit their elder sister's home for the same. If that's also not possible, they could consider any woman as a sister and have a meal at her house. By doing so, they would rid themselves of their hardships. Those who fail to do so would live in fear of untimely death.

On this day, a person should refrain from having meals at their own home and should visit their sister's home. If a sister isn't present, they should visit their uncle's, grandfathers, or maternal uncle's home, and partake in the meal prepared by their hands. They should offer gifts, touch their feet, and pledge to always protect them. This strengthens the bond of love between siblings, and the celebration of this festival ensures that love never turns into hatred between brothers and sisters. Their relationship remains strong and endearing.

On this day, sisters apply tilak and offer sandalwood paste as a mark of respect to their brothers. They treat their brothers with sweets, arrange a delicious meal, and pray to Yamaraj for their brothers' well-being, happiness, peace, and prosperity.

It's a beautiful celebration that reinforces the special bond between brothers and sisters, fostering a relationship of love and care that lasts a lifetime.

Verified from Puran..................