Sibling bonhomie marks Bhaiyya Dooj

KANPUR: Bhaiyya Dooj was celebrated after 'Holi pareva' on Friday. As part of the tradition, sisters apply 'tilak' (vermilion) on the forehead of brothers and performed 'aarti'.
"My brother went to US for training in February. Though I put 'Tilak' on his forehead before he was leaving but I was surprized when he asked me to come to an internet cafe and suggested a way to use web-camera," informed Reenu, a student."He told me that most of his colleagues from India use similar way to be in touch with family members," she added
Vaishali, who was celebrating her first Bhaiyya Dooj after her marriage said that she was initially sad as her sister-in-law was coming to her place for the festival and that was the reason her husband refused to take her to her brother's home for celebrations. "But I was surprised when I saw Bhaiya and bhabhi at my place without any information," she added.
For Simple, a teenager, the festival is a day full of masti as her elder brother gifted her a laptop. "I told my brother that I wished to have a laptop. It was a double celebration for me as it became a family get-together after a long time and I got my wish fulfilled," she exclaimed.
It was an emotional moment for sisters who waited outside the district jail to get a glimpse of their brothers in jail. "My brother has been staying away from the family from past one year. I have been standing in the queue since morning to meet him and apply 'tilak'," said Sushma.
Ganga (73), who was celebrating Bhaiyya Dooj after three years as her brother was abroad, said that the 'tilak' symbolizes firmness, honour, respect and faith of a sister. "Through Bhaiyya Dooj tilak, the sister wishes for health and longevity of her brother. The unbroken rice grains added to tilak represent steadfastness and equanimity and are also a symbol of peace," she added.
Manoj Chaturvedi, a mythological expert said, "Yamraj, the God of death, went to visit his sister's house. His sister, Yami welcomed him by putting an auspicious mark on his forehead for his welfare. He was pleased and proclaimed that every year, on the Dooj day, if a sister puts a tilak on her brother's forehead, then no one can harm her brother."
Narrating another legend, Chaturvedi said that after killing Narakasur, Lord Krishna went to meet his sister Subhadra. She welcomed him by performing an 'aarti' and putting a 'tilak' on his forehead.
Bhaiyya Dooj comes twice a year one after Holi and another after Diwali. 'Dooj' or 'Duj' denotes that the festival falls on second day after full moon.