Bhai Dooj 2024: Significance, History and Popular Rituals

What’s the Indian festival that celebrates the unique and special bond between brothers and sisters? If you are thinking about Rakshabandhan, then let us tell you that apart from Rakshabandhan, the festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters is Bhai Dooj. Hindu culture and tradition are the home of several festivals, and Bhai Dooj is one of them. This year Bhai Dooj date and time is 24th March, 2024, Wednesday and 3rd November, 2024, Sunday. So, read along to know why we celebrate Bhai Dooj 2024. Or what is the Bhai Dooj date and time this year? 

24th March, 2024 (Wednesday)

• Bhai Dooj Timing Begins: 02:55 PM (26th March 2024)
• Bhai Dooj Timing Ends: 05:06 PM (27th March 2024) 

3rd November, 2024 (Sunday)

• Bhai Dooj Timing Begins: 8:21 PM (2nd November 2024)
• Bhai Dooj Timing Ends: 10:30 PM (3rd November 2024) 

Why Bhai Dooj is Celebrated? 

The festival of Bhai Dooj 2024 knocks at the doorstep two days after Diwali and Holi. After celebrating the festival of lights and colour, now comes the chance to cherish the bond between brother and sister with Bhai Dooj. If we talk about Bhai Dooj meaning, it comprises two words: Bhai (brother) and Dooj (second day after the new moon). The reason why do we celebrate Bhai Dooj is only to strengthen the bonds between siblings.

But do you know what the most interesting thing about this festival is? Women who do not have a brother usually worship Chandra Devta (Moon) on the day of Bhai Dooj as per mythological beliefs. It is the day when a sister prays for her brother’s long life, good health and fortune. In return, the brother show their love on their sisters by giving gifts. 

Bhai Dooj History and Significance 

Do you know that the god of death, Lord Yama, is behind the Bhai Dooj history? To understand the story behind this pure and pious festival, Bhai Dooj, let us take you back thousands of years. Everyone is aware of the dark and mysterious side of the lord of the death, Yamaraja. But the Bhai Dooj history talks about his love, soft and tender side for his sister Yamuna. Yamuna, who was very fond of her brother, Yamaraja wanted to see his brother and always prayed for their reconciliation.

But on the second day after the new moon, her luck shines, and her brother, Yama, visits her. The arrival of her brother makes her so happy and delightful that she serves him his favourite food. Along with this, she prays for her brother’s long life by applying tilak on his forehead. Seeing the pure love and affection of his sister, Lord Yama asks her for a boon.

Instead of materialistic things like wealth or jewellery, Yamuna asked for a promise that Lord Yama would pay her a visit every year. Since then, Bhai Dooj significance has been strengthening the bond between brother and sister.

Also Read: Dhanteras 2023: Welcome Blessings From Laxmi, Kuber and Yama!

Exploring the Popular Bhai Dooj Rituals 

Step into the magical world of Bhai Dooj 2024, where the old-age traditions mix up with the modern-day traditions. Are you ready to learn about how people celebrate Bhai Dooj? Let’s go!

• The Bhai Dooj rituals start when all the sisters prepare a pooja thali for their brothers. The pooja thali includes sweets, roli, chandan and rice. 
• Just like Rakshabandhan, sisters apply tilak and rice on the forehead of their brothers. In Hindu mythology, applying tilak is a way of showing honour and respect to others. After the tilak, it is now time to gift a coconut to their brothers and ask for protection. Along with this, the sisters prays for her brother’s good health, wealth and success. 
• In return, brothers gift their sisters sweets or clothes as a token of love. After that, she feeds him with his favourite dishes along with the whole family. 
• But if the woman’s brother cannot come to visit her on Bhai Dooj, she can offer her prayers to Chandra Devta (Moon) and ask for her brother’s long life. 

Difference Between Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj

If the festival of Bhai Dooj is all about the celebration of the beautiful bond between siblings, then why do we celebrate it twice a year in the form of Rakshabandhan? Are these festivals the same, or is there any difference between the two? For starters, the festival of Raksha Bandhan falls on the full moon in the month of Shravana month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar.

On the other hand, the festival of Bhai Dooj is celebrated two days after Diwali and Holi and on the second lunar day of the Kartik month. On the day of Rakshabandhan, a sister ties a sacred thread, rakhi, on her brother’s wrist and asks for her protection and care. On the other hand, Bhai Dooj is when a sister applies tilak on the foreheads of her brother and prays for his long life and good health. Well, the essence of the festival remains the same, but the rituals and timings differ. 

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