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Bhai Dooj (भाईदूज) or Bhau-Beej or Bhai Phota or Bhai Tika is a festival celebrated by Hindus on the last day of the Diwali festival. This is the 2nd day of the cheerful fortnight or Shukla Paksha of the Hindu lunar month.

Date = 13 Nov 2015
Duration = 2 Hrs 7 Mins
Bhai Dooj Tika Muhurat = 13:08 to 15:16

After the festival of lights, sisters get ready for 'Bhai Dooj' or Bhai Phota - when sisters ceremonize their love by putting a fortunate tilak on the forehead of their brothers and perform an Aarti by showing him the light of the holy flame as a mark of affection and protection from evil forces.On this day, sisters pray for the prosperity and wellbeing of their brothers. In return, the brother offers gifts and sweets to their sisters as an expression of love.

Each region has its own name:

Bhayya Duj (Hindi)
Yama Dwitiya
Bhagini Hasta Bhojana (Sanskrit)
Sodara Bidige (Karnataka)
Bhai-Tika (Nepal)
Bhai Phota (Bengal)
Bhav-Bij (Maharashtra)
Karthigai

Bhai Dooj celebration differs from one part of the country to another; for instance, in Bengal, sisters often fast through the morning before putting a 'tika' on the brother’s forehead, and the offering of rice and new grass is part of the ceremony. In Bihar, an exciting variation of Bhai Dooj starts with the sister troubling her brother, before asking for his pardon- for the epithets and for past mistakes.

Religious stories:

Story of Lord Krishna and Subhadra: According to religious scriptures God Krishna, after killing the Asura king, Narakasur, went to meet Subhadra. His sister. Subhadra welcomed him in the traditional way by putting on his forehead a tilak and paying respect by showing him a light (Deepak).

Story of Yama and Yami- Another version says, the God of death, Yamaraj, after a long period of separation, went to visit his sister's house. Yami, his sister was very cheerful to see him and welcomed him by putting a fortunate mark on his forehead for his welfare. Yamraj and Yami then shared a meal.

Yamaraj was so happy with his sister's reception, he declared that every year, on the dooj day, if a sister puts a tilak or tika on her brother's forehead, then nobody can harm her brother. From that day, this tradition is being followed. Sisters perform pooja for their brother’s safety, luck and wellbeing. In return, Brothers give gifts to their sisters as an expression of love.

Significance:

The essence of the Bhai dooj or Bhai Phota festival is that it is celebrated to toughen the love between brothers & sisters. It is a day of gift-giving, food-sharing and reaching out to the deepest depths of the heart. Sisters and Brothers indulge themselves on this special occasion by giving each other gifts.

The reason why this festival is known as Bhai Tika or Bhai Dooj is that it falls on the 2^ndday after the new moon that is the Dooj day. It is also a day to pray for the long life of the “brother” or “bhayya or bhai”.