How to Celebrate Bhai Dooj
The celebration of bhai dooj is done with great pomp and show across every Indian household. This is the time when sisters and brothers come together to pray for better health and happiness for each other. In this blog we will be talking about how to celebrate bhai dooj.
Significance of Bhai Dooj 2024
Before learning about how to celebrate bhai dooj, it is important to know about its significance. There is a lot of religious significance associated with the celebration of this day. It is stated that as per Hindu mythology, this was the day when the sister of Lord Yamraj, Mata Yamuna put a kaala tika on her brother to pray for his long life.
There is also a lot of cultural significance in the Hindu religion when it comes to the celebration of the day. In terms of how to celebrate bhai dooj, it is mostly associated with the putting of tilak on the forehead and doing an aarti. Through these rituals, the sisters pray for the long life of their brother.
How to celebrate bhai dooj?
There are certain festivals that require specific instruction for its celebration. One such example is that of Bhai Dooj. There are certain rituals that will need to be religiously followed. It is why learning about how to celebrate bhai dooj is very important. The first step is always to prepare a beautiful aarti thali, along with some urli diya surrounding it. The significance is that since this is celebrated just after Diwali, the use of diyas is a way of appeasing the fire god Agni.
On the aarti thali, there is haldi, Kumkum and roli chawal present. In many states, they also use rice grains, which are used to bless the younger brother or sister. In terms of how to celebrate bhai dooj, the first step is to put the tilak on the forehead. It is then immediately followed by doing an aarti, putting chawal along with the tika and exchanging sweets.
There are several people who also include Gopal Ji in the celebrations. When learning about how to celebrate bhai dooj, one should take the steps to do aarti of both lord Ganesh and Ladoo Gopal Ji.
What is the rule of Bhai Dooj?
There are certain rules that are still followed in certain states of India. So when learning about how to celebrate bhai dooj, one should pay attention to learn about these rituals. In many states the playing of vermilion and rice paste on the hands of the brothers and sisters is considered to be important. Many also present a combination of betel leaves and nuts, along with a silver coin to keep it more auspicious. There is also the practice of offering kaala tika to the brothers forehead along with chandan tika, as an offering to the Gods themselves. Lastly, it is important to chant mantras when giving the tilak, to pray for the longevity of the brothers’ lives.
Who gives gifts on Bhai Dooj?
Along with learning about how to celebrate bhai dooj, it is also important to have some clarity about what kind of gifts need to be exchanged. Essentially, there are no specific rules present in terms of what kind of gifts can be exchanged. In the section below however we have provided you with some ideas of the kinds of gifts you can get for your brothers and sisters.
1. Sweets
When learning about how to celebrate bhai dooj, the exchange of sweets is considered to be of utmost importance. This is because no in indirectual is complete without the exchange of sweets.
2. Trays and Platters
The exchange of beautiful kitchenware items has always been an age-old practice when it comes to Indian rituals like Bhai dooj. In such cases, brothers always prefer to get beautiful platters and trays that can be a great utility to them. Our suggestion will be to get them mango wood handmade and handcrafted trays that will make for a great home accessory.
3. Chocolates
The choice of chocolate when it comes to learning about how to celebrate bhai dooj should never be forgotten. Chocolates are a delicacy that is loved and admired by everyone, irrespective of their age. Hence, this will definitely be a great idea to consider.
4. Photo Frames
Another very common choice when it comes to the exchange of gifts and learning about how to celebrate bhai dooj is the gift of photo frames. with so many varieties of beautiful frames available in the market, this becomes the best choice. Our suggestion will be for you to always go for wooden hand carved frames as they are quite rare and will make for a wonderful gift choice.
Muhurat of Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on the 3rd of November, 2024 of this year. Before we learn about how to celebrate bhai dooj, it is also essential to know about the time of the muhurat.
- The tithi of Dwitiya will begin at 8:22 PM on the 2nd of November, 2024.
- The tithi of Dwitiya will end at 11:06 PM on the 3rd of November, 2024.
- The most auspicious time to learn how to celebrate bhai dooj and do the ritual will be between the periods of 1:10 PM to 3:22 PM. This is also known as the Shubh Muhurat for this year.
- The Vijaya Muhurat for Bhai Dooj is between the periods of 1:54 PM to 2:38 PM.
So, you should be prepared to learn all about how to celebrate bhai dooj before the start of this good muhurats.
How is Bhai Dooj celebrated in Different States?
Each state in India has their own rituals and practices when it comes to how to celebrate bhai dooj.
Maharashtra and Goa
In the States of Maharashtra and Goa this festival is also known as Bhau Beej. The festival is essentially celebrated in the evening. When learning about how to celebrate bhai dooj in these States, they also practise the ritual of doing Tilak and exchange of gifts.
West Bengal
In the state of West Bengal the festival is also known as Bhai Phota. Here the sisters observe fast through the day and only breathe after they apply Tilak on their brothers foreheads. In this particular state they offer a combination of chandan and kajal tika, to ward off evil. Once the rituals are completed they offer them with food and sweets and the fast is broken with exchange of gifts.
Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, the entire ritual remains the same. The only aspect that the first and will need to be learnt about how to celebrate bhai dooj in UP is the offering of dried coconut to the brother after putting Tilak on their forehead.
Nepal
When learning about how to celebrate bhai dooj, the festival here is known as Bhai Tihar. Here the sisters perform the tilak ceremony and exchange gifts once it is completed.
We hope now you have a better idea of how to celebrate bhai dooj and how it is celebrated in different parts of India.
