A day when Yamraaj is the go to god for every sister
- Arijit Bose
- Nov 10, 2018
- 2 min read
Courtesy – DeviantArt
Bhai Dooj is an occasion when sisters pray to Yamraaj for a long and prosperous life of their brothers. Celebrated two days after Diwali, it is an occasion that is held very dear by the women of the country. This year, Bhai Dooj was celebrated on November 9.
Known by different names like Bhau Beej, Bhai Teeka or Bhai Phota it has similarities with Raksha Bandhan, since it celebrates the bonding between brother and sister.
Women in India this day invite their brothers home and apply teeka or tilak on forehead and offer prayers to the Gods.
The legend of Bhai dooj is an interesting story that revolves around Yamraj and his sister Yamuna. Yamraj had not visited his sister Yamuna for twelve long years. Yamraj interestingly got so busy in his work that he completely forgot about his sister. It was only when someone asked for a leave to go and visit his own sister that he recalled of his sibling.
The other story goes, Yamuna was heartbroken. She went to Goddess Ganga and sought advice. Ganga reminded Yama about sister Yamuna.
Courtesy – Vimanika Comics
According to the Shiv Puranas, Yama was wounded by the Vivasana after which he became the king of the Land of the Dead. Mourning for brother, Yamuna wept until gods decided to turn her into Yamini, the goddess of the night. As Goddess she bridged the gap between the despair of sunset and hope of sunrise, thus reconciling with her brother.
Notably the God of Death, visited his sister on this day. Sister Yamuna or Yami welcomed him with an aarti, applied tilak and offered him sweets. Yamraj gifted Yamuna with some goodies.
Yamraj from that day onwards is believed to have declared any brother who would receive an aarti and tilak from his sister this day should never be afraid of death. Hence started the ritual of Bhai dooj and it has continued for generations now.
Yamraj sports a depressing look with an impressive crown. He holds a mace in one hand, and a rope in the other. Yama rides a black water buffalo.
Bhai Dooj is observed on the second day of the Vikrami Samvat New Year, the calendar followed in Northern India (including Kashmir), starting from the lunar month of Kartika. The first day of the New Year is observed as Govardhan Pooja that comes very next day of Diwali.
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