Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj: Learn how the tradition of celebrating Bhai Dooj started

Legend and significance

Brotherhood is also very important in the major Hindu festivals. The festival of Brotherhood comes after 2 days from Diwali, on this day, the sister tilak her brother and fold his hands for his long life and also pray to Yamraj. It is written in Skandpuran that on this day pleasing Yamraj, worshipers get the desired fruit. This year, this festival is being celebrated on 29 October. There is also a mythological story behind celebrating it.

Story of Yam-Yamuna

According to the scriptures, Lord Surya Narayan and Noun had two children - one son Yamraj and the other daughter Yamuna. But there came a time when the noun, unable to bear the sun, started to form a shadow in the North Pole. Due to which Tapti River and Shanidev were born. After settling in the North Pole, the noun (shadow) behaved differently with Yama and Yamuna. Distressed by this, Yama settled his city Yampuri. At the same time, Yamuna was sad to see her brother Yama punishing the sinners in Yampuri, so she started living in Golok but both Yama and Yamuna had a lot of affection between their brothers and sisters.

Similarly, time continued to pass, then suddenly one day Yama remembered his sister Yamuna. Yamraj loved his sister Yamuna very much, but due to busy work, he could not go to meet his sister. Then on the day of Kartik Shukla Paksha Dwitiya, Yamuna invited brother Yamraj for food, and committed him to come to his house. In such a situation, Yamraj thought that I am going to defeat life. Nobody wants to call me home. It is my religion to follow the goodwill with which the sister is calling me. While coming to the sister's house, Yamaraja freed the creatures living in hell. Seeing Yamraj coming to his house, Yamuna was not happy with her.

Yamuna asked for a boon

Yamuna worshiped after bath, served delicious dishes and made Yamraj eat. Pleased by this hospitality performed by Yamuna, Yamraj ordered the sister to ask for a bride. Then Yamuna said, "Oh dear! You come to my house on this day every year and a sister like me, who should treat your brother on this day with respect, will not be afraid of you. ”Yamraj, while saying Aastastu, proceeded towards Yamlok by giving priceless garments to Yamuna. Since then, the tradition of celebrating this festival has been going on since this day. For this reason, it is believed that Yamraj and Yamuna must also be worshiped on the day of brotherhood.

Religious importance of brotherhood

According to religious texts, on the day of Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, Yamuna received a boon to her brother Yama as an honor, due to which the brotherhood is also known as Yama Dwitiya. Actually, according to the groom of Yamraj, a person who will bathe in Yamuna on this day and worship Yama will not have to go to Yamlok after death. At the same time, Yamuna, the daughter of Surya, has been considered as the Goddess who has taken care of all the troubles. For this reason, bathing in the river Yamuna on the day of Yama Dwitiya and worshiping Yamuna and Yamraj has special significance. On this day, the sister tilak her brother and join hands for his long life and also pray to Yamraj. According to the Puranas, Yamraj is pleased with the worship done on this day and gives the desired results.