New Delhi: Bhai Dooj is the last festival of the 5-day-long Diwali celebration. It is also known as Bhau Beej, Bhatra Dwitiya, Bhratri Dwitiya, Bhai Tikka, Bhai Dwitiya and Bhathru Dwithiya. This year Bhai Dooj is being celebrated on October 26, 2022. On the same day, this year, Govardhan puja is also being celebrated in the country.
Bhai Dooj 2022 Date: Shubh Muhurat
Dwitiya Tithi Begins – October 26, 2022 – 02:42 PM
Dwitiya Tithi Ends – October 27, 2022 – 12:45 PM
Bhai Dooj Aprahana Time – October 26, 2022 – 01:12 PM to 03:27 PM
History, story and significance behind Bhai Dooj
The festival of Bhai Dooj has a literal meaning attached to it. ‘Bhai’ means brother and ‘Dooj’ means the second day after the new moon which is a day of celebration. In Hinduism, the day holds special significance into the lives of a brother and a sister. This auspicious occasion not only commemorates the strong bonding between two opposite-sex siblings but is also said to protect them from the evil forces and bring new hopes and prosperity in their lives.
Bhai Dooj is celebrated in different parts of the country with different rituals and has various folklores associated with it. The festival is known as Bhai Phota in West Bengal, Bhau Beej in Maharashtra and Yama Dwitiya in southern India and is celebrated with sisters applying tilak on the brother’s forehead along with a special mantra that they chant while at it. While in Haryana, along with the ritual of the tilak, dry coconut is tied with kalawa thread along its width and offered at the time of aarti.
There are few Hindu mythological based stories related to the origin of this auspicious day. According to one legend, it is said that after defeating the evil demon Narakasura, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra. His sister gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers. She then applied the ceremonial tilak on Krishna’s forehead. It is believed that this is the origin of the festival of “Bhai Dooj”.
Another legend revolves around the story of Yama, the God of death. It is believed that Yama visited his beloved sister, Yamuna on Dwitheya, the second day after the new moon and she welcomed him with a tilak ceremony, garlanded him and fed him special dishes. They dined together after a long time and exchanged gifts. Yama, after the occasion, announced that whoever receives tilak from his sister on this particular day will enjoy a long life and prosperity. Since then this day to be celebrated as Bhai Dooj across the country.
