Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the occasion of Bhai Dooj.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Modi said: “Best wishes to all of you on the holy occasion of Bhai Dooj.” Bhai Dooj, the festival of a symbol of brother-sister love is being celebrated all over the country today.
On this day, sisters pray for their brothers to have long and better life by performing Tika function and brothers offer gifts to their sisters.
The festival is known as:
Bhai Dooj is also known as Bhau Beej and Bhathru Dwithiya. According to Hindu traditions, it is believed that Goddess Yamuna took care of her sibling Yamraj on Kartik Dwitiya at her own home. From that point forward this day is known as Yama Dwitiya.
Bhai Dooj (Hindi: भाई दूज) in entire Northern part of India, observed during the Diwali festival. This is also the second day of the Vikrami Samvat New Year, the calendar followed in Northern India (including Kashmir), which starts from the lunar month of Kārtika. It is widely celebrated by Awadhis in Uttar Pradesh, Maithils in Bihar as Bhardutiya and people from various other ethnic groups. The first day of this New Year is observed as Govardhan Pūja.
Bhai Tika (Nepali: भाई टीका) in Nepal, where it is the most important festival after Dashain (Vijaya Dashmi / Dussehra). Observed on the fifth day of Tihar festival, it is widely celebrated by the Khas people.
Bhai Phonta (Bengali: ভাই ফোঁটা) in Bengal and it takes place every year on the second day after Kali Puja.
Bhau Beej, or Bhav Bij (Marathi: भाऊबीज) or Bhai Beej amongst the Marathi, Gujarati and Konkani-speaking communities in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka.
Another name for the day is Yamadwitheya or Yamadvitiya, after a legendary meeting between Yama the god of Death and his sister Yamuna (the famous river) on Dwitheya (the second day after new moon).
Other names include Bhatru Dviteeya, or Bhatri Ditya or Bhaghini Hastha Bhojanamu in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
According to a popular legend in Hindu mythology, after slaying the evil demon Narakasura, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra who gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers. She also affectionately applied tilaka on Krishna’s forehead. Some believe this to be the origin of the festival.
